The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation officials were preparing to carry out an emergency salvage removal of a 40-foot sailboat which ran aground on the reef off the Old Kona Airport Park Sunday.
DLNR spokeswoman Deborah Ward said the “expedited” action is being taken to prevent further damage to the reef. Removal of the vehicle was expected to begin as early as Tuesday.
Ward said Division of Aquatic Resources staff cannot begin assessing the reef for damage until the boat is removed. The owners of the boat, calls the Seaquel, did not have vessel insurance and cannot afford to pay for salvage, Ward said.
Hawaii County Parks and Recreation Department is looking to obtain private security to keep looters from boarding the vessel, Ward said.
U.S. Coast Guard officials said the Seaquel came from Mexico and made its first port of call at Hilo.
A California man and a woman suffered minor cuts and bruises after their sailboat ran aground on the reef late Sunday evening off Old Kona Airport Park in Kailua-Kona.
Responding to the 11:55 p.m. report, Hawaii County Fire Department rescue personnel arrived at the scene to find the Seaquel taking on water approximately 100 to 200 feet offshore fronting the southern-most pavilion at the county facility.
While rescue crews were responding, the man and woman aboard the vessel entered the water to attempt to swim to shore. They both made it to shore safely and reported no injuries to awaiting medics, according to police.
The man and woman remained at the scene Monday morning assessing the damage to their vessel, which lists Ventura, Calif., on its side. Both declined to speak to the media.
DLNR and U.S. Coast Guard crews also remained on the scene Monday.
Ward said the vessel had approximately 5 gallons of fuel on board when it ran aground.A U.S. Coast Guard spokeswoman said the vessel’s hull remained intact and no fluids had leaked.
Kona DAR and DBOR staff members are investigating the incident, she said.
Ward said the Coast Guard-registered vessel appears to have run aground on coral.