51 Foot Sailboat Washes Up At Hāna Bay

A 51-foot sailboat ran aground at Hāna Bay in East Maui on Sunday afternoon, May 8, 2016.  Hāna firefighters arrived at around 3:25 p.m. to find the vessel washed up on the rocks at the bottom of Keawa Place.

Authorities say a 35-year-old man from British Columbia, Canada arrived a short time later after hearing about the grounding of his boat, the “Cebadora.”

Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto said it is unclear if the vessel broke free or dragged its anchor.  Firefighters say the boat’s hull began to break as 10 to 15 mile per hour onshore winds and pounding surf pushed the boat up against the rocks.

An estimated 100 gallons of diesel fuel was on board and was apparently leaking with witnesses reporting a strong odor of diesel in the air.

Crews from the Department of Land and Natural Resources were notified and will coordinate salvage efforts with the owner.

The bay was temporarily closed while emergency crews responded to the incident.