Coast Guard stops vessels at Honolulu Harbor
Star-Bulletin staff
The Coast Guard boarded two separate fishing vessels Thursday at Honolulu Harbor and found multiple violations, including an intoxicated captain.
A team from the 110-foot Coast Guard cutter Kiska, based in Hilo, boarded the 72-foot vessel Crystal as it departed Honolulu Harbor at about 5:30 p.m.
The team gave sobriety tests to Crystal's captain, who subsequently failed all tests, a Coast Guard news release said. Crystal's voyage was canceled for safety reasons, and a competent crew member returned the vessel to Honolulu Harbor, under Kiska's escort, the release said.
Authorities said the captain faces a $500 fine for allegedly boating under the influence of an intoxicant.
Shortly afterwards, crew members from a 25-foot Coast Guard vessel boarded Jessica, an 82-foot fishing vessel, as it returned to Honolulu Harbor.
The boarding team found a non-U.S. master operating the vessel. Further investigation will determine any penalties, the Coast Guard said.
In addition, the fishing gear markings of the crew were not in compliance, the Coast Guard said.