LOCATION: Hawai’i Island, Kailua-Kona, South of Kahalu’u Bay. 

DATE AND TIME OF INCIDENT: January 5, 2023 approximately 1100 hrs. 

HA OR DOCUMENT NUMBER:   LENGTH OVER ALL:  27’ Open motor vessel. 

NARRATIVE OF THE EVENT:  On January 5, 2023, the writer heard a report of a grounded vessel on Channel 16 being made to the USCG of a grounded vessel inside the reef at Kahalu’u Bay.  Other vessels were attempting to provide assistance. This writer responded to that location and observed a vessel on the rocks south of Kahalu’u Bay on Kamehameha Schools property.  Hawai’i County Fire Department has landside units on the scene and information was provided that the operator and their passenger had already been removed from the vessel.  

Another vessel was standing offshore attempting to put a swimmer with a line in the water to attach to the grounded vessel.  This writer then sought and obtained access to Kamehameha Schools property which provided closer access to the grounded vessel.  The writer was subsequently joined by USCG Petty Officer and we proceed to the grounded vessel. Upon our arrival the vessel had managed to secure a line to the grounded vessel and was “jerking” the line under throttle to bring the bow of the grounded vessel 180 degrees around, so it was facing the ocean. 

An off-duty Hawai’i County Firefighter who had likewise responded to the distress began to push the vessel seaward timing these efforts with approaching waves while the vessel applied throttle simultaneously. These efforts continued until the vessel refloated and was taken under tow to Honokohau.  Upon returning to Honokohau SBH contact was made with DOCARE who advised they were in possession of the operator’s information and likewise the grounded vessel’s Hawaii registration.  On January 11, 2023 contact was made with Kona Boat Rentals Manager who provided the operator’s contact information, and that the vessel has sustained approximately $7,000.00 in damage to its hull and outboard motor. 

He noted that the operator and his passenger sustained no injuries. This writer then made contact with the operator who conveyed that he and his daughter were onboard the vessel and had been snorkeling by mooring to a day use buoy when they decided to proceed to “Captain Cook”  Kealakekua Bay. It should be noted there are no day use moorings in this area.  As the vessel got underway Operator noted he was plotting a course to that destination on the chart plotter while his daughter was preoccupied on her cell phone.  

Operator believed his course maintained sufficient distance from the shoreline when he heard a loud bang and realized the vessel had made contact with the bottom.  Attempts to return the vessel to deeper water were unsuccessful and wave action took it further into shore where it was hard aground.  He denied the use of alcohol or drugs. He did not have a California Safe Boaters Card and described himself as an experienced boater in protected waters (lakes, rivers). He had no prior experience boating in Hawaii prior to the grounding. Suspected cause of grounding: controlled navigation into shore due to inattention.  AGENCIES THAT RESPONDED: Hawaii County Fire Department, USCG, DOBOR. ANYTHING ELSE NOTEWORTHY: None.  AFTER THE FACT: COST OF DISPOSAL IF DOBOR PAID: Vessel was successfully removed from shoreline and insured.  ACCIDENT REPORT IN PROGRESS?  No.  Report closed.
South of Kahaluu Bay
Kailua-Kona                   