Suche
Mein Konto
Huge waves force tourist ferry aground off Honolulu!
Huge waves hit the tourist ferry “Discovery” off Honolulu. Emergency measures prevented environmental damage.
Huge waves force tourist ferry aground off Honolulu!
A dramatic incident recently occurred off the beautiful beaches of Honolulu. On August 9, 2025, the passenger ferry Discovery - 75 feet long (about 23 meters) and owned by the Atlantis company - ran into serious trouble. Huge waves pushed the ship closer to shore, causing the ferry to lose control and hit a reef in the popular Kewalo Basin. Fortunately, there were no injuries and the environmental pollution could apparently be prevented, as [Schwäbische] reports.
The incident was immediately addressed by various authorities. Thanks to a rapid response, including securing the water area by the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), a safety zone could be created for swimmers, surfers and boats. In total, the bank area was secured for more than 24 hours. A few days later, on August 19, the grounded ship was successfully removed, [Hawaii Governor's Office] noted in a report. The owner of the ship quickly took care of the salvage and hired a contractor who made initial attempts but was unsuccessful.
Focus on environmental damage
A particularly important aspect of the recovery operation was minimizing possible environmental damage. The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) documented the condition of the reef and identified routes for recovery. According to aquatic biologist Jake Reichert, there was mostly damage to living rock and some affected coral colonies. DAR plans to conduct further assessments to collect more comprehensive data on the condition of the reef.
Against this background, it becomes clear once again what dangers ship accidents pose to sensitive marine ecosystems. According to the Ocean Foundation, nearly 90% of global trade that travels across the world's oceans is at risk of such incidents. Lessons learned from previous disasters, such as the tanker carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel that collided in the North Sea, are essential to preventing future damage. Experts agree on the need for stricter shipping regulations and continued monitoring of busy routes.
Overall, the event highlights both the challenges and opportunities to improve maritime security management and better understand the impact of shipping on our oceans. Environmental protection and shipping have an often tense relationship that requires urgent attention - after all, this is not just about business benefit, but also about protecting our valuable marine resources.