Salvage crew begins dismantling stranded sloop

Salvage and removal operations began Saturday for the 36-foot sailing sloop Makani that ran aground Friday night in rocks off the Ewa side of Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park.

The Parker Marine salvage company towed the hull of the boat to Keehi Small Boat Harbor for disposal late Saturday, said Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Salvage crew operators chose to split up the boat before removing it because of weather conditions, Ward said.

The mast and rigging of the boat will be hauled away today if the weather permits, she said.

The Coast Guard rescued two people from the vessel that went aground after its engine died. A salvage company set the boat’s anchor so waves would not move it toward the beach.

The insurance company for Makani is paying Parker Marine for the work.