Rough seas delay salvage of 94-foot yacht still stuck on rocky Maui coast : Big Island Now [Video]

Heavy seas, pounding rain and gusty winds are making it unsafe for salvage crews to return to Honolua Bay on Maui to make another attempt at freeing a 120-ton, 94-foot luxury yacht stuck on the near shore reef.

The salvager, contracted by the state Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, returned to O‘ahu late Monday after the rigging attached to the yacht Nakoa failed.  

Ed Underwood, division administrator, said: “Everyone’s safety remains our top priority and until the weather and sea conditions improve, we simply cannot put anyone at risk during a salvage operation.” 

Underwood said it’s expected the salvage ship Kahi, operated by Visionary Marine, and the tractor tug Mary Catherine, operate by Sause Brothers, will return to Maui on Friday or Saturday.

The rigging …