KAILUA-KONA — The hull of the Spirit of Kona remains in 20 feet of water, with the salvage crews expected to arrive today or Saturday.
It took several days to get approval to perform the in-water work, said Randy Cates of Cates International, the salvage company recovering the vessel.
They have already removed six truckloads of material from the shoreline, he said.
The popular 70-foot cruise boat reportedly broke free from its mooring and ran aground early Sunday morning near the lighthouse north of Kailua Pier.
The state outlined its plan for getting rid of the hull on Thursday.
“The large intact portion of the hull is to be disposed of at sea outside of state waters as agreed upon by the EPA and Coast Guard. Parker Marine is sending a salvage vessel from Oahu to assist in the recovery of the large intact portion of the hull,” Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, wrote in an email.
On Thursday there were still a few sections of the hull on the shore, moving in the hammering of the waves. The smell of diesel and sheen of oil that had stuck around the area were gone.
The investigation is ongoing into the cause of the wreck, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Melissa McKenzie.