Vessel Recovery Underway in Lahaina Harbor, Maui
State and federal responders with the US Coast Guard Western Maui Wildfire Emergency Support Function #10 Unified Command are conducting vessel recovery and removal operations as part of their efforts to restore Lahaina Harbor and surrounding waterways following the August 8 wildfire.The Unified Command and the primary contractor, Global Diving & Salvage, have begun vessel recovery and removal operations in the vicinity of Lahaina Harbor. The response teams have a mission priority to preserve the marine ecosystem.
Passenger Vessel Grounding in Lahaina Harbor
A Coast Guard investigator from Marine Safety Team Maui is continuing an investigation of a passenger vessel whose crew had run aground in the vicinity of Lahaina Harbor, Maui. The Spirit of Lahaina, a 65-ft catamaran, was re-floated and pulled from its grounding by Capt. Dave Jung of the vessel Kaulana. The crew was able to navigate the vessel back to its slip under its own power and moored up at approximately 10 p.m. Thursday. The investigator, Lt. Cmdr. James Stellflug, reports there is no risk of pollution as a result of this grounding and reported no flooding aboard the vessel. “There was no breach in the hull,” said Stellflug. The crew aboard the Spirit of Lahaina was navigating the vessel out from its harbor for a dinner cruise when it ran aground at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Kvichak and Morelli & Melvin Team Up On Catamaran
Kvichak Marine Industries is readying its 54 ft. all-aluminum catamaran, Ocean Explorer, for a December delivery to Pacific Whale Foundation of Kihei, Hawaii. The 54 x 14 ft. vessel, which will operate year-round for the Foundation's Eco-Adventure Cruises, holds the designs of both Kvichak and Morrelli & Melvin of San Diego, Calif. Ocean Explorer's venue includes snorkeling, dolphin watching and whale watching tours of Maui's Lahaina Harbor. Propulsion power will be provided by twin Cummins 6CTA diesels, each rated for 430-bhp at 2,600-rpm driving 28-in. diameter four-blade, stainless steel propeller through a ZF down-angle marine transmission. Cruising at a speed of 23 knots, passengers will be seated in Ocean Outdoor model all-weather seats constructed by Beurteaux of Australia.
