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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, May 4, 2009

150 YARDS OFFSHORE
44-foot sailboat stuck on reef off Kahala

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

A 44-foot sailboat ran aground early yesterday afternoon between two sections of reef off Kahala and water was coming on board. The Fast Forward sat about 150 yards offshore. The boat has a temporary registration for the Ala Wai Boat Harbor.

REBECCA BREYER | The Honolulu Advertiser

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A 44-foot sailboat ran aground between two sections of reef off Kahala yesterday afternoon, and officials said it was the owner's responsibility to refloat it.

The Fast Forward sat about 150 yards offshore after it ran aground just before 1 p.m., Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Earle Kealoha said.

"There's no emergency at the moment," Kealoha said yesterday. "There's no life-threatening situation. ... The vessel seems to have come over the outer section of the reef and is wedged between the two sections of reef. The yacht is stuck between an inner and outer reef."

Honolulu firefighters, lifeguards and the Coast Guard appeared at the site of the grounding. Some fuel spilled from a 5-gallon container that was discovered floating in the ocean, Kealoha said. Another 5-gallon container was discovered on board but did not spill.

"As of this moment, there's no compromise of the fuel tank aboard the vessel and no fuel spilling," Kealoha said.

However, water was coming on board.

"You have to feel there is compromise," Kealoha said. "To what degree, we're not sure."