Coast Guard personnel and a salvage team removed approximately 3,000 gallons of fuel from the Pacific Paradise, four days after the 79-foot fishing vessel ran aground off Diamond Head near the Outrigger Canoe Club channel.

About 1,500 gallons remain in the vessel.

Capt. Michael Long, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu commander, said the removal “significantly” reduced the threat of pollution to surrounding waters.

According to a Coast Guard news release, the salvage team is preparing the vessel for towing once favorable tides arrive.

While no pollution has been sighted in the water or on shore, a safety zone remains in effect around the vessel extending 500 yards.

Assisting in the ongoing effort have been personnel from multiple divisions of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response, the vessel operators, commercial salvage experts and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The Coast Guard noted that weather and surf conditions are expected to worsen over the weekend, but the vessel is somewhat sheltered from the wind by Diamond Head as it’s on the south shore of Oahu.

The boat ran aground less than a half-mile from shore late Tuesday evening. Honolulu Fire Department and Coast Guard personnel rescued 20 fishermen who were aboard.

No injuries were reported.