The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is asking beachgoers to avoid the area across from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Wednesday, because of possible safety hazards from the of wreckage of a sailboat that broke up in high surf off Laie.

Workers began removing the wreckage of the 55-foot sailboat Doubloon Wednesday morning from Laie beaches.

The Doubloon became adrift Monday night and broke up in the surf Tuesday morning after an effort to tow it away failed when a 43-foot Coast Guard rescue boat also got into trouble and had to be abandoned.

The Coast Guard planned to try again Wednesday afternoon to recover the  rescue boat, which is anchored 250 yards off shore in Laie.

The Coast Guard said the water is too shallow to use a Coast Guard cutter to tow the boat. So another smaller rescue boat will attempt to tow the disable craft to deeper water and then link it with a cutter,

A Coast Guard helicopter airlifted the 72-year-old sailboat skipper and the four Coast Guard crew members from the rescue boat early Tuesday morning when the rescue boat became disabled.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

The Red Cross is assisting the sailor who lost his boat with temporary housing, clothes and food.