By Karen Robes Meeks
Nearly two months after running aground, the Pacific Paradise has been removed from the reef off Hawaii’s Kaimana Beach, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
For weeks crews worked on removing the vessel, which has grounded October 10. They patched the hull, pumped out water and took off heavy boat parts to lighten its load prior to removal. The weather and challenging environment complicated matters, but crews were able to move the vessel to an EPA-approved disposal site 13 miles south of Oahu in federal waters, according to the Coast Guard.
"These efforts are complex, and with the addition of unpredictable ocean conditions, the position, size and weight of the ship on the reef, and its proximity to one of Hawaii's most populated beach areas, it was important that we all worked together to remove the ship while minimizing risk to people and to the environment,” said Suzanne Case, chair of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Meanwhile, Coast Guard officials are investigating the cause of the grounding, a process that is expected to take several months.
Nearly two months after running aground, the Pacific Paradise has been removed from the reef off Hawaii’s Kaimana Beach, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
For weeks crews worked on removing the vessel, which has grounded October 10. They patched the hull, pumped out water and took off heavy boat parts to lighten its load prior to removal. The weather and challenging environment complicated matters, but crews were able to move the vessel to an EPA-approved disposal site 13 miles south of Oahu in federal waters, according to the Coast Guard.
"These efforts are complex, and with the addition of unpredictable ocean conditions, the position, size and weight of the ship on the reef, and its proximity to one of Hawaii's most populated beach areas, it was important that we all worked together to remove the ship while minimizing risk to people and to the environment,” said Suzanne Case, chair of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Meanwhile, Coast Guard officials are investigating the cause of the grounding, a process that is expected to take several months.
