The state said today said the three-and-a-half-day grounding of the Navy cruiser Port Royal off Honolulu airport damaged a coral reef.

The Navy, meanwhile, released photos of the guided missile cruiser in drydock and its damaged propellers, sonar dome and hull.

"Although initial reports indicated that the ship had grounded on a rock and sand bottom, our subsequent surveys have shown that there is in fact coral reef," said Laura H. Thielen, chair of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

"Divers from our Division of Aquatic Resources are now working in cooperation with counterparts from the Navy to ensure that no further damage occurs, and to map the full extent of the grounding scar," Thielen added in the joint release by the Navy and state.

Divers also are "noting the locations of detached reef blocks or other debris that might roll in the surf and cause additional damage to the reef over time," the release said.

The blocks are being removed by Navy divers specially trained in salvage operations and are being disposed of at a deep water site approved by the Division of Aquatic Resources.

The largest broken blocks are being cemented in place in order to stabilize them and prevent further movement.

The guided-missile cruiser entered drydock at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Wednesday morning to repair damage sustained when it ran aground the night of Feb. 5 a half-mile off Honolulu Airport's Reef Runway in 17 to 22 feet of water.

After three unsuccessful attempts, the Pearl Harbor ship was refloated early Feb. 9.