High surf keeps lifeguards busy; 3 boats aground on Maui
No one was hurt when the 30-foot sailing vessel ÒCaribou IIIÓ went aground in high surf near Mala rocky shoreline. The vessel had completely broken up by this afternoon. It is one of three boats that went aground on Maui today. (Courtesy Department of Land and Natural Resources Maui District Boating Office Photos courtesy DLNR Maui district boating office
High surf is blamed for causing three vessels, including the 30-foot sailboat Best Revenge, to break free from their moorings near Mala Wharf today. (Courtesy Department of Land and Natural Resources Maui District Boating Office)
Witnesses said the 38-foot trimaran ÒTriple PlayÓ broke loose from its mooring near Mala Wharf when a large set of waves washed over it today. It is one of three boats aground because of the high surf. (Courtesy Department of Land and Natural Resources Maui District Boating Office)
High surf on south shores has been keeping lifeguards busy and wreaking havoc with boats moored offshore.
Oahu llifeguards made 33 rescues and 43 assists on the south shore and Sandy Beach on Friday.
The Ocean Safety Division said lifeguards performed nine rescues and 39 assists on south shore beaches. Of those, lifeguards used a Jet Ski in seven rescues and 17 assists.
Meanwhile at Sandy Beach, lifeguards rescued 24 and assisted 14. Of those, 20 rescues and 10 assists were by Jet Ski.
State and Maui County officials also to the groundings of three boats that had capsized in a quarter-mile stretch of coastline from Mala Wharf to the Lahaina Crossroads Apartments.
A Maui County news release said it appeared the boats had broken free of their moorings and were being battered by high surf.
The three boats are 30 to 40 feet long.
Lifeguards checked the ocean around the boats for people who may have been aboard, and witnesses on the beach told fire personnel that they saw no one on the boats or in the water.
A high surf advisory is in effect for south shores, with waves heights of 8- to 12-feet, until Sunday morning.
