HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) -
A salvage crew worked
overnight on Thursday to remove a 53-foot sailboat that ran aground in Keehi
Lagoon in December and had been, according to its owner, targeted by thieves
while it remained grounded.
Crews with Parker Marine
reportedly worked a 17-hour day to remove the vessel, finally pulling it off
the reef at high tide Thursday night.
The owner of the sailboat,
Alan McConnell, says he spotted thieves aboard the vessel while it was grounded
in the lagoon, and though he tried to call officials with the Department of
Land and Natural Resources to report the crime, they never responded to his
phone calls for help.
McConnell estimates his
losses at $70,000 dollars.
A representative from the
state DLNR says they are investigating.
Related story: Boat owner accuses state of lack of enforcement at Keehi.
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