A contractor hired by the state to remove a boat from the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor had an accident Saturday that resulted in the boat sinking off Magic Island near a popular snorkeling spot.

The state Department of Land and Recreation’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation said the incident occurred as the contractor, Certified Construction, was towing out the Samoor, a 40-foot recreational vessel built in 1930.

“There were pumps on the vessel, but the vessel was taking on too much water and sank,” DOBOR said Monday in an email.

DOBOR said the contractor is in the process of recovering the vessel, which sank in about 50 feet of water on the Diamond Head side of the channel.

“90% of the vessel has already been removed from the waters. The last remains will be removed today and tomorrow. The contractor is required to salvage the vessel at its own cost and not the state,” DOBOR said.

According to the state’s procurement website, DLNR awarded a contract Aug. 14 to Certified Construction for $182,900 to remove abandoned vessels at various Oahu small boat harbors. According to the contract, the company must “furnish and pay for all materials, equipment, labor and other incidental work necessary to remove and dispose of abandoned vessels and miscellaneous debris.”

Certified Construction could not be reached Monday for an immediate comment. The company registered to do business in Hawaii in 1980 and is listed on the state’s business registration site as a roofing contractor.

DLNR said Certified Construction subcontracted the job to Xarbin Industries, which has been registered as a marine services and sports business in Hawaii since 2015.

State procurement records show that DOBOR previously had used Certified Construction for marine salvaging services related to a 2018 contract to relocate abandoned vessels from Lanikai beach to Keehi Small Boat Harbor.

DOBOR said there weren’t any injuries following Saturday’s accident, but the state is following up with the contractor to address other issues. Environmental mediation is ongoing, and the state said the contractor has “secured a boom around the vessel to ensure that no debris floated away.”

The U.S. Coast Guard responded to the accident and will continue to monitor the situation, said U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Matthew West.

“Our main concern is safety of life, and following that it would be pollution and hazardous navigation,” West said. “There were no injuries. Because it was pumped before it was towed, the pollution risk is minimal at this time. Also, where it’s at is not a hazard to navigation.