Empty Passenger Vessel Sinks off Hawaii

The 65-foot (20 meter) glass-bottom passenger vessel Spirit of Kona grounded and sank early on Sunday near the Kailua-Kona Lighthouse in Hawaii.

The vessel, owned by Blue Sea Cruises, apparently broke free of its mooring during a storm and ran aground about 2 a.m. No one was on board the double-deck vessel at the time, and no injuries were reported.

Representatives from Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, local authorities, commercial salvors and the owner of the vessel are now working to develop a salvage plan.

There is a 120 yard by 53 yard non-recoverable rainbow sheen in the vicinity of the wreck. The vessel reportedly has a maximum pollution potential of 600 gallons of diesel fuel on board, commercial batteries and 19.5 gallons of hydraulic and lube oils. 

No wildlife was seen in the area or reportedly affected.

Tropical Storm Darby continues to impact the region. Commercial ports on Hawaii, Maui, Molokai and Oahu are closed.