Inclement weather may have contributed to the grounding of two large vessels at Kīhei and Mā’alaea, and now weather continues to slow efforts to remove them, according to officials with the State Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The 55-foot Expeditions Five passenger ferry ran aground near Māʻalaea Harbor on Maui, Monday. There were three crew members on board at the time of the incident.
In addition to the immediate hiring of a contractor to move the vessel away from the birthing stone, DOBOR will hire a salvage contractor to remove the vessel “by any means necessary,” state officials said in a news release today.
DOBOR was notified of a 45-foot vessel grounded about 50 yards from the break wall outside Lahaina Harbor. The owner has insurance and is expecting to begin salvage tomorrow. A 30-foot sailing vessel is also 30 yards off the breakwater from 1403 Front Street in Lahaina.