Posted at 3:27 p.m., Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Deadline tomorrow to remove sinking ship
Advertiser Staff
The owner of a boat that is slowly sinking in Maunalua Bay has until tomorrow to remove the vessel or the state will step in and remove the boat, state officials said yesterday.The boat had been inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard and posed no immediate health, environmental or navigational hazard. The boat, the Kamome, has been moored in the bay for more than 120 days, said Steve Carr, president of the Hawai'i Kai Marina Association.
"We want to give the owner a chance to remove the boat because otherwise it remains a question of who pays for the removal," Ward said.
The responsibility for removing a stranded or sunken vessel rests first with the owner, said Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
If the owner fails remove the boat, a plan of action will be announced tomorrow, Ward said. Boats are allow to moor in the bay, but are limited to 90 day stays.
The issue of the boat was brought up last Thursday during a meeting held by state Rep. Gene Ward R-17th (Hawai'i Kai, Kalama Valley) to discuss parking and boating issues at the bay.
"Our only concern is about the environment," Carr said. "If anything should migrate into the marina, that would be our concern. We want to be a good citizen to the bay."
