Efforts are ongoing to remove a 94-foot luxury yacht that ran aground at Honolua Bay and spilled fuel near a marine sanctuary.
The vessel was successfully drained of fuel and other hazardous materials before further damage was done to one of Maui’s most iconic surf, ocean-enthusiast, and ocean-life spots. That means, at least, the harm has been mitigated.
The owner of the 120-ton yacht, Jim Jones, has thus far deflected responsibility and, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), refused to pay the extensive costs of removal. Per a Feb. 27 DLNR statement:
“Since the yacht’s owner declined to pay the $460,000 for retrieval of his boat, the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR), by law, assumed control of the vessel and will bill him. The owner of the Nakoa may also face fines for any violations of boating rules and regulations and for any potential damage to reef structures and live rock. All investigations are underway and DLNR can’t comment further on pending charges or penalties.”
