Updated at 1:57 p.m., Sunday, December 31, 2006
Fuel removal monitored for boat grounded off Niihau
Advertiser Staff
The U.S. Coast Guard and state health officials today will continue to monitor the removal of fuel from a fishing vessel that grounded off the southern tip of Ni'ihau on Friday night.The captain of the Wahine Kepaloa IV told authorities that less than 1,000 gallons of fuel remained on board the 44-foot vessel when it ran aground about 7:15 p.m. Friday at Kawaihoa Point, the Coast Guard said.
After the vessel and the surrounding area were inspected by the Coast Guard yesterday, an environmental company was hired to remove the remaining fuel, the Coast Guard said.
Two fishermen had to be rescued when the ship ran aground. They had put on lifejackets and swam to shore, where a Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter found them shortly after the incident. Neither man was injured.
