State will bill owner $460K for cost of salvaging yacht from Honolua Bay
Work to remove fuel, batteries of grounded vessel continues
A helicopter can be seen on the cliffside above Honolua Bay where a luxury yacht remains grounded on Friday. State and federal officials have been working to remove fuel, batteries and other materials from the yacht before moving it from the bay. — The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
The luxury yacht Nakoa remains on the rocks at Honolua Bay Friday afternoon. — The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
A helicopter can be seen on the cliffside above Honolua Bay where a luxury yacht remains grounded on Friday. State and federal officials have been working to remove fuel, batteries and other materials from the yacht before moving it from the bay. — The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
The luxury yacht Nakoa remains on the rocks at Honolua Bay Friday afternoon. — The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
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The state has selected a contractor to remove the 94-foot-long yacht that remains grounded at Honolua Bay and will bill the owner for the $460,000 salvage cost.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources said Friday that the owner of the Nakoa yacht is unable to contract and pay for the removal of the vessel, which broke off its mooring and got stuck on the rocks and reef just outside the bay on Monday.
DLNR's Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation requested bids from experienced large vessel salvage companies and selected the contractor on Friday afternoon. Visionary Marine of Honolulu will begin salvage operations once the U.S. Coast Guard releases the boat to DLNR.
The state will bill the yacht's owner for reimbursement of the $460,000 salvage cost and for additional staff and administrative costs. It said it will take legal action if necessary.
Before the boat can be removed from the bay, fuel, batteries and other potentially dangerous materials must be taken from the yacht first. DLNR said Friday evening that the work will continue through Saturday.
The dirt road near Lipoa Point will remain closed Saturday for helicopter operations and is expected to reopen as soon as the defueling process is complete.
As soon as the process of removing the materials is complete, the Coast Guard will turn over control of the vessel to DLNR.
The department has been investigating what caused the yacht's grounding and will also do another assessment of coral damage along the reef once the boat is removed. Once DLNR's investigation is complete, it may impose fines for any violations and also plans to work with the community to restore the coral and bay and deter any recurrence, DLNR said.