DISCOVERY

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Latest news

Passenger ship salvaged from sea wall

On Aug 20, Coast Guard representatives discussed the salvage of the 'Discovery' on the afternoon of Aug 19, ten days after it ran aground 60 feet off the Kewalo Basin Harbor, 1125 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814. During the salvage operation, a Coast Guard Station Honolulu boat crew had enforced a safety zone around the tug 'Pilani' (IMO: 9369186) and the passenger vessel. Multiple DLNR divisions as well as the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) worked in coordination throughout the removal process. Divsion of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) marine unit officers secured the ocean waters in the immediate aftermath. During the salvage they helped create a waterside safety perimeter to keep the area clear of swimmers, surfers and boats. On shore, DOCARE officers secured a safety perimeter for over 24 hours on the day of the grounding and safeguarded the area again during the salvage. The Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) worked closely with the owner of the grounded vessel and USCG to protect the public health and safety of all recreational users in the area. DOBOR and USCG reviewed the salvage plan to ensure minimal damage to natural resources during removal. Report with photo: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2025/08/19/nr25-109/

Passenger vessel grounded by large waves

The 'Discovery' ran aground approximately 60 feet outside the Kewalo Basin Harbor in Honolulu with the captain and one crew member aboard, on Aug 9, 2025. The on-scene weather at the time of the grounding was 5 mph winds and 8 to 10-foot seas with a building south swell resulting in 10 to 12-foot breaking waves on Oahu’s south shore. Two large waves disrupted the course, and the vessel lost propulsion once it was pushed aground. There were reportedly no mechanical failures prior to the vessel running aground. The on-scene weather at the time of the grounding consisted of 5 mph winds and 8 to 10-foot seas with a building south swell resulting in 10 to 12-foot breaking waves on Oahu’s south shore. Sector Honolulu command center watchstanders received a report at 8:25 a.m. Watchstanders directed the launch of a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Station Honolulu, but due to shallow water depth and sea state, the boat crew was unable to reach the 'Discovery'. Honolulu Ocean Safety Department jet ski crews arrived and confirmed that the two people aboard were uninjured. The passenger vessel that operates as a shuttle for Atlantis Adventures, could be secured to the seawall at Kewalo Basin awaiting commercial salvage. At 11 p.m, personnel with the Pacific Environmental Corporation (PENCO) removed all accessible petroleum products and eight marine batteries from the vessel. In total, PENCO removed 2,275 gallons of diesel fuel and 36 gallons of hydraulic oil. No pollution or sheening has been reported. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation were overseeing the vessel’s salvage. At about 6:25 p.m. Saturday, Cates Marine Services and the tug 'Miki’oi' arrived on scene and secured lines to the 'Discovery'. During efforts to tow the vessel off the reef, the cleats failed to hold, requiring the towing operation to halt. Report with video: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4270750/coast-guard-monitors-aground-passenger-vessel-in-honolulu/