Surfers advised to stay away from grounded fishing boat

By James Gonser
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Coast Guard is warning surfers and others to stay at least 500 yards from a fishing boat that ran aground about 800 yards off Diamond Head Thursday because the fish in the boat may attract sharks, while fishing hooks and gear on deck pose a hazard as the boat breaks up.

The Coast Guard has contracted a salvage team that will try to dislodge the vessel this morning, surf permitting, and limit the leakage of 900 gallons of diesel fuel.

"This is a big ocean recreational area with a lot of different activities," said Jim Howe, head of the city's Ocean Safety Division. "We are advising in the strongest possible fashion for folks to stay out of the water in the area."

The 60-foot fishing boat Kolea ran aground at 3:30 a.m. Thursday with five people on board. All swam safely to shore.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Howe said a survey of the boat revealed that the hull was crushed and that it will not float again.

"Because the diesel fuel has leaked out of the boat, you can smell it all over," Howe said. "State Health Department officials are at the scene. This is not a major spill, but from an environmental perspective, that is a conservation area, which is why we are doing everything we can. But there is only so much that can be done."