Complications halt attempt to remove grounded boat

The Pacific Paradise is a-bobbing but still not a-budging from the Waikiki reef on which it has been stranded for more than seven weeks.

The Coast Guard’s latest attempt to remove the 79-foot fishing boat, which got stuck on the reef just before midnight Oct. 10, was scratched late Saturday afternoon after unspecified complications led officials to determine that necessary preparations could not be completed in time to take advantage of the high tide, according to Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Scott Carr.

Removal crews had spent much of the day executing underwater operations that had been delayed by high swells overnight.

Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Sara Muir said the crews dewatered the boat, removing excess water that had accumulated inside (mostly in the fish hold) in an effort to lighten the vessel, and injected foam into its major compartments to increase buoyancy.

Muir said salvors would not attempt to move the boat unless they were confident there would be no further damage to the reef below.

By 3:30 p.m., 12 of the vessel’s 20 compartments had been filled with the foam, causing the boat to bob noticeably in the surf.

A wire bridle connected to the tow boat was also fixed to the fishing vessel and held afloat by buoys.

By 4 p.m., however, it became apparent that unforeseen complications would not allow an attempt to tow the boat at high tide.

“Boat removals are dynamic and evolving,” Carr said.

Carr said the Coast Guard hopes to try again today pending a reassessment of conditions.

Oceangoers are cautioned to stay at least 500 yards away from the wreckage for their safety.

Some 20 fishermen were rescued from the boat when it initially got stuck.

Several attempts have been made to remove the 161-ton vessel without success. In preparation for one of the earliest attempts, fuel from a dewatering pump ignited, resulting in a large fire aboard the boat.