HONOLULU (KHON2) — Salvage operations for the 75-foot boat Discovery, which ran aground at Kewalo Basin Harbor on Saturday, Aug. 9, were unsuccessful on Sunday.
Multiple agencies were on scene over the weekend, trying to get a better sense of what happened to the vessel during the high surf on Saturday.
The boat, operated by Atlantis Adventures, came to rest along a rock wall at Kewalo’s on Saturday afternoon, after a high tide pushed it to the area.
Salvage crews seemed hopeful they’d be able to remove it on Sunday, but the U.S. Coast Guard said there was a setback.
“Currently, we have more water intrusion to the engine room, so all salvage operations have been put on pause,” explained U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Chief of Prevention Daniel Brahan.
He said 2,275 gallons of diesel have been removed, as well as 36 gallons of hydraulic fluid.
“There was some damage to reutters, shafting, underneath the water line we knew there was some damage there, just more water ingress in that compartment, so they’ll take a look at that, so when they pull it off it floats,” Chief Brahan continued.
He said the salvage crew will continue operations throughout the week however, the two and a half foot high tide on Saturday was ideal for the shallow water where the boat sits.
The high tide won’t reach two-and-a-half feet again until next Tuesday.
“It is compounded by the fact that there is a reef here, it is difficult to get tugs here, so a nuisance and every salvage operation is different,” Brahan added.
Atlantis said it is taking the necessary time to conduct additional inspections of the entire vessel to ensure it is in proper condition for when it’s moved to avoid causing harm to the marine environment.
They added that they do not want to rush this process and are working closely with the government agencies on the plan for the towing and relocation of discovery and there is no date yet on when the vessel will be moved.
Several videos from Saturday morning show surfers paddling out in the channel at the time the boat was making its way in between the two buoys. KHON2 asked a spokesperson for Atlantis Adventures if the captain was trying to maneuver around the surfers, but was told by the company that has yet to be determined at this time.
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“This case is still under investigation, but right now we don’t have any indication there was any mechanical or electrical failure, everything with this vessel seems to be mechanically sound,” Chief Brahan added.
No divers have been able to check if there was damage to the reef.