VIDEO: 3 Boats Grounded During High Surf on Maui

Boat washed up in West Maui fronting Aloha Mixed Plate. Photo courtesy Robby Webb.

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywpen58U5qI /] By Wendy Osher

Three sailboats became grounded in West Maui on Friday morning during unusually high surf conditions, authorities said.

The vessels, ranging in size from 30-40 feet, had apparently pulled from their moorings, and were in the process of being battered by the high surf, said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

Fire and Ocean Safety crews from Lahaina were dispatched to the area fronting Māla Wharf at 10:41 a.m. for a report of several boats that had capsized, said FS Chief Mainaga.

When crews arrived, authorities said they found three grounded boats along a quarter-mile stretch of coastline from Māla Wharf to the Lahaina Crossroads Apartments.

“Bystanders on the scene were interviewed by fire personnel and all stated that there were no individuals seen on the vessel or in the water prior to and during the incident,” said Mainaga.

Officials with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources have since been notified of the incident.

***Video courtesy: Lahaina Fire Fighter Gavin Fujioka of the Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety, via County of Maui.

38’ trimaran “Triple Play” also aground at the Mala shoreline. This vessel does not have insurance. Staff are working to obtain a bid for emergency salvage removal of the vessel. Photos courtesy DLNR Maui district boating office.

30’ sailing vessel “Caribou III” which went aground also near Mala rocky shoreline due to high surf. The vessel had completely broken up by this afternoon. Staff are working to contact the vessel’s owner who has insurance and determine a removal plan. A marine salvage company is expected to begin removal work on Saturday, ocean conditions allowing. Photos courtesy DLNR Maui district boating office.

30’ fiberglass sailboat “Best Revenge” which broke off its mooring. Staff are working to obtain a bid from a salvage company to remove this vessel. Photos courtesy DLNR Maui district boating office.