HONOLULU – The Coast Guard and the Department of Land and Natural Resources are responding to a grounded vessel off the north side of Honolua Bay in Maui Friday.
Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watchstanders received notification at 2:12 a.m. that the Hula Girl, a 65-foot commercial catamaran, broke free of its offshore moorings in the bay and ran aground. The four crew members aboard the Hula Girl safely disembarked the aground vessel and received assistance from Maui Fire Department personnel.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Team Maui personnel arrived on scene, assessed the area and reported no signs of pollution.
“We are working closely with the State Department of Health Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office and the Department of Land and Natural Resources to monitor the situation and mitigate any hazards to the environment,” said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Michelle Rice, incident management division chief, Sector Honolulu. “The vessel owners are actively working to develop a salvage plan.”
The beach and waters in the surrounding area remain open, but individuals should maintain awareness of any potential signs of pollution such as strong smells of diesel or discoloration on the surface of the water.
The Coast Guard is also monitoring the fishing vessel Hinatea, a 38-foot sportfisher that ran aground Thursday night near Kihei in Maui. The vessel is aground on a sand bottom and there are currently no reported signs of pollution.
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