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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
A grounded 79 ft fishing boat called “Pacific Paradise” caught fire near Kaimana Beach in Waikiki.
Firefighters made several water drops with a helicopter this morning to try to extinguish the fire, said Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Sara Muir.
She said the white smoke from the fire was a sign that only combustible items were burning, such as papers or plastics. She said no oil sheen or debris was seen on the water today.
The salvage company working to remove the vessel, Cates Marine Service, postponed an attempt to tow the vessel at high tide today, which was expected about 1:20 p.m., because the internal heat of the vessel made it unsafe for work crews, Muir said.
The company will continue monitoring the boat today and check if another tow attempt can be made Monday.
The 79-foot Pacific Paradise caught fire about 10 a.m. Saturday while Cates Marine Service was preparing to tow it off the reef.
On Friday, the salvage company first attempted to tow the boat during high tide, but the tow line snapped. After reconnecting the lines, the company was able to tow the boat about 50 yards before the tide went out.
The longline fishing vessel has been stuck on the reef about 330 yards off Kaimana Beach since it ran aground Tuesday night with 20 people on board.
Today, the Coast Guard continued enforcing a 500-yard safety zone around the vessel.
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