Vessel Incident in Hawaii

A 75-foot passenger boat, known as The Discovery, ran aground in Hawaii on Saturday, as reported by the U.S. Coast Guard. The incident occurred when the vessel appeared to surf a wave before crashing onto the shore. According to the Coast Guard, the operator of The Discovery reported that two large waves disrupted his course, leading to a loss of propulsion once the vessel was grounded. The event was reported at 8:25 a.m., approximately 60 feet outside Kewalo Basin Harbor.

Eyewitness Accounts and Response Efforts

Ramon Brockington, who was filming body surfers at the time, described the scene as if the boat was “surfing like a giant surfboard.” Despite the dramatic grounding, both the captain and one crew member aboard were unharmed. Initial rescue efforts by a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Station Honolulu were hindered by shallow waters and sea conditions. However, jet ski crews from the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department confirmed that no injuries occurred.

Salvage Operations and Environmental Safety

Later in the day, Cates Marine Services and the tugboat Miki’oi attempted to tow The Discovery off the reef. Unfortunately, cleats failed during the operation, necessitating a pause in efforts. Currently, The Discovery is secured to the seawall at Kewalo Basin awaiting commercial salvage. Atlantis Adventures confirmed that no passengers were aboard during the incident and emphasized that there has been no fuel or oil leakage from the vessel.

Preventive Measures and Environmental Impact

Pacific Environmental Corporation took proactive measures by removing 2,275 gallons of diesel fuel, 36 gallons of hydraulic oil, and eight marine batteries from The Discovery. The Coast Guard confirmed that no pollution or sheening has been reported in connection with this incident. Atlantis Adventures is collaborating with regulatory agencies to ensure safe removal and inspection of the vessel before it returns to service.