Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release July 12, 2016

GROUNDED BOAT ON KAUAI
CONFIRMED AS MISSING FISHERMEN’S VESSEL

HONOLULU —  An overturned boat that has been spotted from the air several times since three fishermen were reportedoverdue northwest of Oahu, on Monday July 4, has been found on a remote beach on Kauai’s north shore.

Kauai Fire Department first spotted the vessel off Anahola in Kilauea, on Friday July 8, while conducting air search operations for the missing fishermen in Kauai waters, in conjunction with the reported finding and recovery of bodies of two of the missing fishermen.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) assisted KFD in searching Kauai waters for the individuals as well as their boat. 

The vessel registration number of the grounded boat was confirmed to be the missing boat. Although the boat had been recently sold to one of the fishermen, no transfer paperwork had been filed with DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation. 

The boating division then reached out to the last registered owner on record, to discuss their available choices for vessel removal. They can either remove it on their own or hire a salvage removal company. Due to rough sea conditions no recovery could be attempted over the weekend. The boat is located at Rock Quarry beach in Kilauea. 

Wilcox has informed the DOBOR Kauai boating manager that he plans to carry out the removal with friends and family today or tomorrow by towing the boat to the Hanalei River for removal by trailer. 

DLNR extends its sympathy to the families of the three fishermen who were lost at sea.

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Media contact

Deborah Ward
DLNR Communications Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320