HONOLULU - The Coast Guard and local agencies are responding to a foreign flagged sailing vessel that ran aground near Lahaina, Maui on Monday.
Good Samaritans rescued eight people from the sailing vessel Altego II after it ran aground near Lahaina Harbor.
At 12:20 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watch standers received a radio distress call from the Altego II, a 52-foot sailing vessel with eight people on board, after they ran aground near the entrance to Lahaina Harbor.
Coast Guard Sector Honolulu issued an urgent marine broadcast to mariners, dispatched a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Station Maui, and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter William Hart to respond to the situation.
“Due to the potential pollution threat this vessel represents to the sensitive marine environment and surrounding area, and with a heightened concern for the strong Kona winds predicted through Wednesday, the Coast Guard is proactively engaged with the vessel owner to ensure salvage and pollution removal efforts are made as quickly and safely as possible.” said Cmdr. Kristen Hahn, Sector Honolulu Response department head.
Good Samaritan vessels operating in the area were able to safely transport eight people, including five children, to Lahaina, Maui. No injuries were reported.
The Coast Guard and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources are ensuring the responsible party is taking the appropriate actions to salvage and minimize any potential impacts to the environmentally sensitive area around Lahaina, Maui. No wildlife impacts have been reported or observed at this time.