Boat Incident in Hawaii
A 75-foot boat ran aground in Hawaii on Saturday, as reported by the U.S. Coast Guard. Video footage depicts the vessel, known as the Discovery, seemingly surfing on the waves before it crashed onto the shoreline.
The Coast Guard shared that the operator of the Discovery indicated that two large waves disrupted its path, causing it to lose propulsion after becoming stranded. At around 8:25 AM on Saturday, the Sector Honolulu Command Center received a report that the boat was approximately 60 feet outside Kewaro Basin Port, with the captain and one crew member on board.
“Essentially, it was like watching a giant surfboard,” remarked Ramon Brockington, who was filming at the moment of the incident. “I’ve never seen such a large boat being thrown around like a toy across the beach.”
The watchstander coordinated the launch of a 45-foot response boat from Honolulu. However, shallow waters and difficult sea conditions prevented the crew from reaching the Discovery. Fortunately, a jet ski crew from the Honolulu Sea Safety Department arrived and confirmed that both crew members were unharmed.
The Coast Guard noted that Cates Marine Service and the tug Mikioi were present to secure a line for the Discovery. During attempts to tow the boat from the reef, the lines couldn’t hold, leading to the operation being halted.
Currently, the Discovery, which serves as a shuttle for Atlantis Adventures, is secured to a seawall in Kewaro Basin, waiting for commercial assistance. Atlantis Adventures reported that at the time of the incident, there were no passengers aboard the Discovery Shuttle Boat.
According to the company, the two crew members who were on the shuttle boat did not sustain any injuries. They also ensured there was no leakage of fuel or oil from the vessel. They are working closely with regulatory bodies to safely remove the stranded boat for inspection before it can return to service.
The Coast Guard also mentioned that Pacific Environmental Corporation has removed 2,275 gallons of diesel fuel, 36 gallons of hydraulic oil, and eight marine batteries from the site. Fortunately, no contamination has been reported.
