75-Foot Shuttle Boat Removed From Kewalo Basin After 10-Day Grounding

The 75-foot passenger vessel Discovery, owned by Atlantis Adventures, ran aground on a shallow reef near Kewalo Basin on August 9 during high surf conditions. Despite immediate efforts to remove the boat, including hiring contractors and removing fuel and hazardous materials to reduce pollution risks, the vessel remained stuck for over ten days. State officials, including the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation and the U.S. Coast Guard, coordinated with Atlantis Adventures and salvage teams to safely tow the boat into deeper water and eventually to Keehi Marine Center for repairs. Environmental assessments revealed damage primarily to live rock and some coral fragments, with efforts made to select removal routes minimizing reef damage. Atlantis Adventures expressed gratitude to agencies involved and apologized to the public for disruptions to recreational activities in the area. The company plans to review its procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.