KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii – A sailboat that has been grounded on an offshore reef area at Old Kona Airport has been removed.

The State Department of Land and Natural Resources today completed the removal of the vessel, which will be disposed of by tomorrow (Friday). The DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation will attempt to collect the removal costs from the owner at a later time.

The vessel owner will not be cited, DLNR reports. The state says the owner of the stranded sailboat is out of California and did not have vessel insurance and cannot afford to pay for salvage. DLNR moved quickly to prevent further damage to the reef.

PHOTO CREDIT: Hawaii DLNR