The owner of the sailing vessel Hula Girl, which ran aground in Maui last Thursday, is teaming up with state agencies to remove the boat. According to a news release from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the process is underway but there are some hurdles.
Kapalua Kai Sailing, Inc., the company that owns the boat, is having trouble finding a salvage operator. Several companies have either declined the job or are unavailable. Despite these challenges, DLNR has approved a plan to rescue the vessel from the Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Marine Life Conservation District, with a deadline set for February 17.
The vessel’s owner has brought in two marine surveyors to evaluate the Hula Girl. They reported that the boat’s condition is stable and its grounding spot has not changed. On Wednesday, a dive team from the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) inspected the area to check for any harm to the coral reef, working alongside the surveyors and a potential salvage operator. After the boat is removed, DAR will conduct another assessment to see if there was any damage.
For safety, the Hula Girl has been surrounded by yellow tape and no trespassing signs after four people were found onboard. To prevent further unauthorized access, the owner is asking their insurance company to provide a security guard during the day.
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Spectrum News Staff, Hawaii, Environment, APP Environment, APP Top Stories, Top Stories
