The U.S. Coast Guard said the grounded 63-foot vessel Midway Island was successfully removed Tuesday from the rocky coastline north of Hilo and towed to Hilo Harbor Pier 2.
On Wednesday, Coast Guard contractors worked to stabilize the vessel, deploy a preventative absorbent boom around the vessel and mitigate any remaining petroleum.
The U.S.-flagged vessel, which was grounded Feb. 3 enroute to Hilo from Los Angeles, remains at Pier 2.
Reportedly, 1,585 gallons of petroleum products, including marine diesel, lube, and hydraulic oil, and oily waste, were safely removed along with the batteries and household cleaners prior to refloating and towing operations began.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will assume the lead as the coordinating agency to work with the vessel’s owner to conduct a cleanup of the grounding site. The state will assess environmental damages and facilitate the future steps of mitigating impacts and vessel disposition.
The cause of the grounding remains under investigation.