A 75-foot passenger vessel that ran aground on August 9, has been removed from the Kewalo Basin seawall where it had been secured.

Multiple DLNR divisions as well as the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) worked in coordination throughout the removal process.

Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) marine unit officers secured the ocean waters in the immediate aftermath. During the salvage they helped create a waterside safety perimeter to keep the area clear of swimmers, surfers and boats. On shore, DOCARE officers secured a safety perimeter for over 24 hours on the day of the grounding and safeguarded the area again during the salvage.

The Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) worked closely with the owner of the grounded vessel and USCG to protect the public health and safety of all recreational users in the area. DOBOR and USCG reviewed the salvage plan to ensure minimal damage to natural resources during removal.

Last week, staff from the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) visited the site to document the damage to the reef on the ingress. DAR staff also identified routes for removal that would cause the least damage, documenting large coral colonies and providing GPS information to the salvage contractor.

DAR will perform further reef assessments in the coming days to gather additional data on damage from the grounding and removal efforts.

 

Photo credit: DLNR