For Immediate Release: October 14, 2008

42 FT. SAILBOARD GOES AGROUND ON REEF OFF MAKUA BEACH

HONOLULU – A 42-foot sailboat went aground on the reef off Makua beach today just before noon. The Honolulu Fire Department responded to a call for help and removed six passengers from the vessel. There were no injuries.

The wooden-hulled boat, “Kialua,” was hard aground and listing at a 30 degree angle on reef shoals about 10 feet from shore near Makua beach in Kaena Point State Park. The vessel was initially intact and no sheen or debris was seen on the water, although waves were hitting the boat.

The Kialua is a Coast Guard registered vessel and is not a tenant at any state small boat harbor. According to Ko Olina the Kialua was moored there the past 3 days but wasn’t there yesterday,

The owner told the Coast Guard and DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) he wants to take responsibility for the removal of the vessel and for the removal of the contaminants on board but he doesn't have vessel insurance or funds to pay for removing fuel, gas, oil and the vessel itself.

The Coast Guard has given the owner until 6 p.m. tonight to come up with a plan to remove the 100 gallons of diesel, 10 gallons of gas, oil and batteries on board the vessel. If not, they will start preparation to hire a company to remove these items. DOBOR may have to take ownership of the vessel and begin its removal tomorrow. DOBOR will be following up on this situation throughout the night and first thing in the morning.

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For more information news media may contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public information specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320

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