A yacht-sized passenger boat, the Discovery, ran aground in high surf off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii, over the weekend. The 60-foot vessel became caught in powerful waves near Kewalo Basin Harbor, appearing to nearly capsize before coming to rest. Two crew members were aboard at the time and were unharmed.
Dramatic Grounding Captured on Video
The incident occurred around 8 a.m. on Saturday, coinciding with peak ocean swells and the lowest tide. Onlookers captured the dramatic event on video as the Discovery was tossed by the waves, listing heavily before momentarily righting itself. Surf photographer Ramon Brockington described the scene as "unreal," noting that the boat seemed to be "surfing like a giant surfboard."
Cause and Response
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that the boat’s fuel, oil, and batteries were removed to prevent pollution. The reason for the grounding is under investigation, though the operator reported being hit by two large waves that disrupted the vessel’s course, leading to a loss of propulsion. Atlantis Adventures, the owner of the Discovery, stated that the boat is Coast Guard certified and regularly inspected. The company is working with regulatory agencies for the boat’s safe removal and inspection.
Key Takeaways
- A 60-foot passenger boat named Discovery ran aground in high surf off Honolulu.
- Two crew members were on board and were not injured.
- The vessel’s fuel, oil, and batteries were removed to prevent pollution.
- The grounding was captured on video by onlookers.
- An investigation into the cause is underway.
The Discovery eventually drifted and came to rest against a concrete wall lining the shore. A company was scheduled to tow the boat away at high tide on Sunday afternoon.
Sources
- Yacht-sized passenger boat runs aground in high surf off Hawaii beach, AP News.
- Passenger boat runs aground in high surf off Hawaii beach, The Independent.
- Yacht-sized passenger boat runs aground in high surf off Hawaii beach, ABC News.
