AMERICAN CONTENDER

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Tug pulled salvaged longliner to sinking site

On Dec 7, 2017, the "American Contender" took over the towage of the wreck of the longliner "Pacific Paradise"W hich had run agound off Oahu on Oct 10, for the transit out to an EPA-approved disposal site 13 miles south of Oahu in federal waters. The responders prepared the sinking the "Pacific Paradise" in nearly 1,800 feet of water, which took several hours. The longliner finally foundered within one minute. Response crews had refloated the "Pacific Paradise" on Dec 6 and moved the vessel about 600 feet into the sandy channel before losing the tide. Crews conducted additional work to the vessel late in the day to prepare for the refloat and tow the next day. That effort was ultimately successful in fully removing the vessel at 7:15 a.m. on the high tide using the tug "Pi’ilani". The State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources assumed the lead as the coordinating agency to work with the owner of the "Pacific Paradise" to conduct cleanup of the wreck site as the pollution threat has been removed. The state will assess any damage done to the reef and facilitate the next step in mitigating the impacts and rehabilitating the reef. The salvage efforts were complex, and with the addition of unpredictable ocean conditions, the position, size and weight of the ship on the reef, and its proximity to one of Hawaii’s most populated beach areas, it was important that we all worked together to remove the ship while minimizing risk to people and to the environment. DLNR was conducting a full assessment of the reef and any associated natural resource damage that occurred during the event. During the operation to refloat and remove the grounded vessel minimal pollution entered the water. Since the grounding, local and mainland experts have worked diligently to remove the vessel as quickly and safely as possible with the least amount of impact to the marine environment. Responders spent the past weeks preparing and patching the hull, removing excess weight by pumping water and removing heavy spare parts including sheet metal and the rudder and adding additional buoyancy. The challenging environment and weather did slow or delay some work. The Coast Guard was continuing the investigation into the cause of the grounding. That process will likely take several months. Once complete those findings will be released to the public and action will be taken to levee any fines or punitive actions that may be deemed appropriate. Reports with photos: http://coastguardnews.com/pacific-paradise-successfully-removed-from-reef-off-oahu/2017/12/07/ http://coastguardnews.com/crews-make-progress-towing-pacific-paradise-off-kaimana-beach/2017/12/06/ https://www.dvidshub.net/video/571365/broll-pacific-paradise-sinks-off-oahu

No salvage of grounded longliner in sight after failed attempt of American Contender

The US Coast Guard made another attempt on Oct 16, 2016, to remove the fishing vessel "Pacific Paradise" that's been stuck in shallow waters off Waikiki for about a week, but salvage efforts will be delayed again. There was a south swell coming in so it is a safety concern. The Coastguard will reassess after the winds die down on Oct 18 and ideally resume tow operations Oct 19. Attempts to first remove the 79-foot longliner by the "American Contender" were stopped on Oct 13 when the towline snapped. On Oct 14 gasoline from a dewatering pump splashed on hot surfaces starting a fire. Crews worked to extinguish the flames all weekend. There were no injuries reported. With the vessel in such bad shape, the Coast Guard couldn't say how the salvage team plans to remove the wreck going forward. The company working to remove the vessel, Cates Marine Service, declined to comment. Meantime, beachgoers were increasingly worried about environmental damage. Reports with photos and video: http://www.k5thehometeam.com/story/36612462/weather-delays-salvage-efforts-for-grounded-fishing-vessel-in-waikiki http://www.kitv.com/story/36595681/efforts-to-re-float-boat-run-aground-of-waikiki-unsuccessful