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Foss Hired to Remove Grounded Fishing Vessel Off Waikiki

Foss Hired to Remove Grounded Fishing Vessel Off Waikiki

Mike Schuler
Total Views: 28
October 20, 2017

FV Pacific Paradise aground off Waikiki, Oahu. Photo: Foss Maritime

Foss Maritime has been hired to remove the grounded fishing vessel Pacific Paradise from a reef off Waikiki after repeated attempts to refloat the vessel by commercial salvage companies have failed. 

The 79-foot Pacific Paradise ran aground on 10 October about 1,000 feet off Waikiki’s Kaimana Beach, and the vessel has remained stuck there ever since. Several attempts have been made by commercial salvage companies to tow the vessel, but each time the operation has been unsuccessful. 
 
Last weekend, seven salvage personnel on board had to abandon ship due to a fire. The Coast Guard reported that the fire was started after gasoline used to fuel a dewatering pump splashed on a hot surface, causing it to ignite.
 
Foss Maritime said it is working under a plan approved by the United States Coast Guard and state authorities to move the derelict vessel away from the reef to prevent further environmental damage.

“We are preparing to safely move the vessel away from this environmentally sensitive area,” said Michael MacDonald, Director of Foss Marine Operations & Commercial – Hawaii Region. “We are thankful that no injuries were sustained and are anxious to move the vessel away from the reef so it will not cause damage or injury to people or marine life.”

The vessel had approximately 8,000 gallons of diesel, 55 gallons of lube and hydraulic oils, and four marine batteries when it grounded, according to the Coast Guard. 

Some minor pollution has been reported. 

The Pacific Paradise is a U.S.-flagged vessel and part of the Hawaii longline fleet homeported in Honolulu. The master and 19 fishermen were rescued from the vessel, and the crewmen were released to Customs and Border Protection.

The grounding is under investigation. 

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