VIDEO: 2nd Attempt to Remove Grounded Maui Vessel Planned

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0dZc9jlL5Q /] By Wendy Osher

(Update: 8:30 a.m. 1/19/12)

The vessel has since been removed from the beach.  A second was made overnight to remove the grounded vessel from Sugar Beach in South Maui.

A first attempt early Wednesday morning was hampered by strong winds and currents.

The  old Navy landing craft got stuck on the soft sand after breaking loose from its moorning early Tuesday morning.

(Posted: 11 a.m. 1/18/12)

An attempt last night to remove an old Navy landing craft that had washed ashore on Sugar Beach was unsuccessful.

A representative from Maui Fresh Fish, LLC, the company that owns the vessel, attempted to move it off the beach last night during high tide, but DLNR officials say strong winds and currents prevented them from doing so.

The vessel washed up on the shoreline fronting the Maui Canoe Club at Sugar beach at around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, January, 17, 2012. Authorities say it broke loose from its mooring nearby.

Photo by Wendy Osher. Sugar Beach, Maui.

By this morning, the vessel was higher up on the beach, according to authorities.

DLNR spokesperson Deborah Ward said an associate and managing agent of the company on Maui met with a USCG-Marine Safety Officer this morning.

Responding units found that there was no pollution threat, and the vessel was resting on a sandy bottom, according to US Coast Guard Petty Officer Angela Henderson. Authorities also confirmed that there was no oil or fuel leaking.

Photo by Wendy Osher. Sugar Beach, Maui.

Ward said the company plans to attempt to remove the vessel again at the next highest tide which is at 2 a.m., on Thursday, January 19. “Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation is attempting to assist the owners to get help to pull the vessel off the beach,” said Ward.

State officials say the flat-bottom of the vessel should make the move an easy one. Winds and currents are also not as strong today as they were yesterday, according to DLNR officials.

The incident is being handled by the Harbor Master and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, since the Coast Guard jurisdiction extends 3 miles from shore and beyond.

Photo by Wendy Osher. Sugar Beach, Maui.

Photo by Wendy Osher. Sugar Beach, Maui.

Photo by Wendy Osher. Sugar Beach, Maui.

Photo by Wendy Osher. Sugar Beach, Maui.