HONOLULU -- U.S. Coast Guard pollution investigators were on scene at Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor, Oahu, over the weekend after a 734-foot bulk carrier ran aground.
The Liberian-flagged Voge Trader is aground near Buoy No. 2 near the entrance channel to the harbor. The vessel is not blocking the channel, but the salvage operation is preventing other vessels from arriving and departing.
Coast Guard, State Department of Land and Natural Resources and other state and county responders are on scene to evaluate the situation. The vessel's agent has contracted with four tugboats, which are trying to pull the vessel free.
A Coast Guard air crew aboard an HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter from Air Station Barbers Point is on scene conducting aerial assessments.
There are no reported injuries to the crew or pilot.
On Saturday, a U.S. Coast Guard air crew aboard a C-130 long-range search and rescue aircraft from Air Station Barbers Point conducted a medical evacuation of a Big Island man.
The 25-year-old male was transported to a local hospital in Honolulu after suffering injuries during a fall. The North Hawaii Community Hospital contacted Coast Guard watch standers in Honolulu early Saturday to arrange the transfer. The C-130 Hercules aircraft crew was launched at approximately 3 p.m.
The Hercules aircrew arrived at Kona International Airport at 5:45 p.m. to pick up the patient, who had been transferred there from North Hawaii Community Hospital.
The air crew arrived at Air Station Barbers Point at approximately 7:30 p.m. and City and County of Honolulu Emergency Medical Services personnel were waiting to transport the patient to The Queens Medical Center for further medical care.