WAILUKU >> A 64-foot catamaran that grounded on Maui has been removed.

The Maui News reports the Pacific Whale Foundation’s multi-hulled Ocean Odyssey was pulled Wednesday from shoreline rocks near McGregor Point by a salvage vessel used buoyant tow ropes.

The Ocean Odyssey left Maalaea Harbor around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday with four crew members. The passenger vessel was on its way to Honolulu for maintenance.

Coast Guard Lt. Eric Stahl says the vessel struck a rock on and washed onto shore with a 3-foot gash to its port hull beneath its waterline.

Stahl says the boat was operating unusually close to shore when it hit the rock, especially for so early in the morning.

The boat was towed back to Maalaea Harbor and inspected by the Coast Guard.