maui yacht ran aground

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Maui Princess runs aground near Lahaina Thursday night

Defueling attempts ongoing.

On Thursday the passenger ship ‘Maui Princess’ ran aground near Lahaina off the west coast of Maui. Defueling efforts are underway as of Monday afternoon and will continue into the coming days. Photo courtesy DLNR

The Maui News

KAHULUI–The passenger ship ‘Maui Princess’ ran aground near Lahaina off the west coast of Maui last Thursday night and has remained there ever since. The boat broke free from its mooring further offshore Thursday morning after a part reportedly failed and is hard-aground on what appears to be a shallow shelf of sand and rubble, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

The DLNR says defueling efforts were underway Monday afternoon and will continue into the coming days to remove 2,500 gallons of fuel from the grounded boat. The process of getting fuel, batteries, hazardous materials, and other items off the Maui Princess is expected to take a few days.

The DLNR said on Monday there has been no oil or gas leakage resulting from the ship running aground last week. Defueling may be completed by Tuesday, but is expected to be completed no longer than Wednesday.

“We have no timeline on salvage, other than we’d like to see it completed as soon as possible, while minimizing any potential damage to coral reefs,” the DLNR told The Maui News on Monday.

The owner/operator of the vessel is 72-year-old David Jung. Jung has insurance which will cover the costs of salvaging the boat and damage to the reef will be assessed once the ship is removed so the full extent of the damage can be assessed, the DLNR said.

Jung has reportedly tried to hire a tugboat to attempt to remove the Maui Princess at high tide, but those efforts have been unsuccessful.

The Maui Princess is a popular sunset dinner cruise that has struggled in finding a commercial slip to permanently dock at since the Lahaina wildfires took place last August, Jung has said publicly. The boat has not operated in a commercial capacity since the August 2023 wildfires, according to Tripadvisor.

Angry comments flooded social media in response to the third high profile vessel to run aground on the westside of Maui in the last year and a half.

“Time to put a moratorium on all commercial use permits until DLNR/DOBOR/DOCARE demonstrate that they have the ability to properly manage commercial activity with adequate facilities and staffing to conduct regular inspections, enforcement and monitoring,” Kai Nashiki said in a comment on Facebook.

Jung, who told NBC News last August that he escaped the Lahaina fires in his catamaran, has been on the other side of a grounded vessel when he helped free ‘The Spirit of Lahaina’ from its confines in 2010 while operating the Kaulana as the senior captain for the Lahaina Cruise Co.

Jung told the Professional Mariner in 2010 he pulled the grounded catamaran off a sandbar just outside the channel. Jung said then that the channel is narrow and a “bad approach” usually is the reason for groundings there.

This time around, the grounding came as a result of the ship breaking from its mooring location, according to the DLNR.

“I have pulled quite a few of these cats off,” Jung said in 2010. “When your vessel is close to running aground, the natural reaction is to pull the bow away (from the grounding). This just runs the stern and props aground. It is better to stop and maneuver the vessel. These cats are very maneuverable. Operators also need to understand the pivot point of their vessel.”

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Maui businessman, captain sued for $2M after grounding luxury yacht

A business owner whose luxury yacht ran aground and leaked diesel fuel into waters off Maui last month is being sued for more than $2 million in damages by a trust that sold him the vessel.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Honolulu on Monday seeks at least $1.45 million for the loss of the yacht, which was supposed to be paid off over the course of 15 years. It also seeks at least $500,000 for salvage work and at least $500,000 for environmental damages.

Kevin and Kimberly Albert, trustees of the Albert Revocable Trust in New Mexico, filed the lawsuit against Jim Jones, his company Noelani Yacht Charters, and ship captain Kimberley Kalalani Higa.

The lawsuit says the only approved captain on the insurance policy was Joe Bardouche. Both have a 100 T U.S. Coast Guard license.

The lawsuit says Jones and his company used the vessel “in a grossly negligent manner” for a personal trip without seeking the approval of the trust.

The 94-foot yacht Nakoa ran aground in Honolua Bay on Feb. 20 after its mooring line snapped. Private contractors towed the ship out to sea, where it sank in about 800 feet (244 meters) of water on March 5.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources plans to bill Jones for the $460,000 cost of salvaging the boat. It's also considering fines after the episode damaged coral reef.

The lawsuit says Jones notified the trust after the grounding that he had taken the yacht out for personal use.

It says Jones and Noelani Yacht Charters breached a purchase agreement holding the buyer responsible for any risk of loss or damage. The agreement also outlined operations, crew requirements and restricted uses.

A phone message left for Jones at Noelani Yacht Charters was not immediately returned. The company's website says it's no longer in business.

The company told The Maui News in February that “this was a family retreat with an unfortunate ending.”

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Luxury yacht runs aground in Maui, pumps diesel into water

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HONOLULU (AP) — A luxury yacht that ran aground in waters off the Hawaiian island of Maui accidentally pumped diesel fuel into the ocean after a failed attempt to remove it Tuesday, its owner said.

Jim Jones told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that seawater entered the engine room of the 94-foot (29-meter) yacht, which made the ship’s bilges pump out diesel fuel. He said “not a lot” got in the water and the pumps have been turned off.

“Once we found out the fuel was coming out, we turned it over to the Coast Guard,” Jones said.

The Coast Guard brought in the salvage company Sea Engineering to remove the fuel and vessel, the company’s president, Andrew Rocheleau, said.

Jones expects the fuel will be drained Thursday morning and that the boat will be removed Friday or by the weekend “at the latest.”

The yacht ran aground Monday morning in Honolua Bay after its mooring line snapped.

The vessel is stuck on the rocks near where surfers paddle out to surf. It’s about 700 feet (200 meters) outside the state’s Honolua-Mokuleia Bay Marine Life Conservation District.

The Nakoa is one of two luxury yachts owned by Noelani Yacht Charters. It has four bedrooms, five bathrooms and a full kitchen. Charter packages start at $9,801, according to the company’s website.

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Salvage of grounded luxury yacht continues Monday

KAPALUA, Maui — Salvage work of a luxury yacht that ran aground in Honolua Bay in northwest Maui will resume on Monday after more than a dozen "pulls" were attempted on Sunday, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said.

After dark, the final pull managed to move the vessel, which has been grounded since Feb. 20, about 10 to 20 feet.

"It's estimated another 20-30 feet of movement seaward will be needed before the yacht is clear of the rocky coastline," the DLNR said.

On Saturday, officials defueled the vessel, which has been grounded outside the Honolua-Mokuleia Marine Life Conservation District.

What You Need To Know

The nakoa, a 94-foot yacht owned by noelani yacht charters, ran aground in honolua bay on monday, feb. 20 during an attempt to remove the vessel from the reef tuesday morning, some fuel leaked into the bay officials have defueled the luxury yacht and began salvage operations on sunday, which will resume on monday initial assessments of the reef found that there was some damage to corals; the owners may face "significant penalties".

The dirt road at Lipoa Point will remain closed until salvage operations have concluded.

The U.S. Coast Guard assumed responsibility for the salvage operation to try to remove some 470 gallons of petroleum products, including diesel fuel, and other hazardous substances off the yacht.

“For the last five days we’ve been working with the contractors from Sea Engineering and Pacific Helicopters, starting with getting on the vessel and putting absorbent materials down to collect any free petroleum products," said Chief David Jones, of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. "Then for the last three days we’ve had the flight operations. Folks on deck pumped any fuel, oils, and other materials out of tanks and machinery spaces into the barrels, where they were airlifted to land to be hauled off for proper disposal.” 

The yacht's owner Jim Jones  told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser  last week that seawater entered the engine room of the 94-foot yacht, which made the ship's bilges pump out diesel fuel. He said “not a lot” got in the water and the pumps have been turned off.

“Once we found out the fuel was coming out, we turned it over to the Coast Guard,” Jones said.

The Coast Guard brought in the salvage company Sea Engineering to remove the fuel and vessel, the company's president, Andrew Rocheleau, said.

Once all fuel and pollutants are removed, the Nakoa will be released to its owner. Then, the owner must provide an acceptable salvage plan to the DLNR. If the agency doesn’t find the plan satisfactory, the state will remove the yacht and the owner will be responsible for the cost of the salvage operation. 

The yacht  ran aground Monday morning  in Honolua Bay after its mooring line snapped.

The vessel is stuck on the rocks near where surfers paddle out to surf. It's about 700 feet outside the state's Honolua-Mokuleia Bay Marine Life Conservation District.

According to the DLNR release, a team from its Division of Aquatic Resources conducted an underwater assessment of the area’s coral reefs and live rocks. “Divers noted an estimated 30 coral and live rock that were damaged, but will need to return to do a more thorough assessment once the vessel is removed.” It said that the owner may face “significant penalties” as corals and live rock are protected by state law. 

Other fines may be levied via DLNR’s Boating and Ocean Division and DOCARE once the investigations are completed. 

“We understand everyone’s frustration with the grounding and harm to the reef at Honolua, a bay with abundant marine life that’s loved by many residents of Maui and visitors like,” said DLNR First Deputy Laura Kaakua. “Wednesday, the focus will be defueling the vessel, and then we can turn to efficient removal with the least additional damage possible.”

The Nakoa is one of two luxury yachts owned by Noelani Yacht Charters. It has four bedrooms, five bathrooms and a full kitchen. Charter packages start at $9,801, according to the company’s website.

—The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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Private luxury yacht spills diesel into protected marine sanctuary on Maui

A private luxury yacht that ran aground on rocks and reef Monday morning at Honolua Bay – a popular surfing spot and protected marine sanctuary in west Maui – has  leaked fuel  into the ocean, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. 

A sheen of fuel was visible on the water on Tuesday morning and during the afternoon, "you could still smell fuel in the air," according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. 

Maui County officials issued an emergency permit  on Tuesday morning to intervene "in response to the increasing risk of damage to the reef and ecosystem" that the stuck yacht poses. "The longer the vessel remains in the sensitive area the higher the risk of damage," said Mayor Richard Bissen Jr., in a statement. 

A team from the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources did an initial underwater assessment of any damage to coral reefs and live rocks, which are protected by state law, around the boat and found about 30 to be damaged. Although further assessment is required, the boat owner could face "significant penalties."

Officials said it will likely take a few more days before the yacht can be freed from the reef. The U.S. Coast Guard federalized the yacht, meaning all fuel, batteries and any other pollutants on board must be removed first. 

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The 94-foot vessel belongs to Noelani Yacht Charters, a Maui-based company owned by Jim Jones. He told Hawaii News Now that he "was anchored offshore with his family for the past two days." Early Monday morning, Jones said a mooring line broke in what he called "a freak accident."

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Noelani Yacht Charters did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. 

According to the Malama Kai Foundation , a nonprofit dedicated to ocean stewardship, the mooring used by Jones overnight is only meant to be used short-term during daytime hours with a limit of two hours. 

Residents and advocates  were upset at social media images and videos of the stuck yacht. 

"The community demands this company be held fully accountable. This is totally unacceptable. The Save Honolua Coalition has tried for years to have the State control boat usage of the bay. We hope that this tragic incident highlights the importance of the issue. For now, we pray that DOCARE and the salvage company act quickly and effectively so that the damage be minimized,"  Save Honolua Coalition , a grassroots organization to protect the bay, said in a statement. 

According to a press release by the Department of Land and Natural Resources on Tuesday morning, if a private vessel is run aground, it is the responsibility of the owner to remove it "with the least amount of damage possible to reefs and marine environments." The owner needs to send a written salvage plan for approval to the department. In these sorts of plans, a private contractor typically pulls the yacht out to sea via tugboat.

Jones told he Department of Land and Natural Resources that "he was never aware of a land-based approach and had no plans to pursue such an action."

"This vessel grounded just outside the Honolua-Mokuleia  Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD), which has the highest degree of resource protections available under state law," said DLNR Chair Dawn Chang in the release. "We are coordinating our actions very closely with Maui County, the boat’s owner, the USCG, area legislators, and the salvage company. We want to do everything possible to prevent any additional damage to the reefs in the MLCD or elsewhere in the bay."

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected]

Monday, July 22, 2024 86° Today's Paper

Salvage ship attempts to free grounded luxury yacht off Maui

The salvage ship Kahi attempted to free the 94-foot luxury yacht Nakoa that ran aground on the reef at Honolua Bay off Maui.

By Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

Feb. 27, 2023

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8 people rescued aboard foreign flagged sail boat that ran aground off Lahaina, Maui

The US Coast Guard and local agencies are responding to a foreign flagged sailing vessel that ran aground near Lahaina, Maui on Monday. Good Samaritans rescued eight people from the boat “Altego II” after it ran aground near Lahaina Harbor.

A radio distress call from the 52-foot boat was received at 12:20 p.m., Jan. 8, 2024. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu issued an urgent marine broadcast to mariners, dispatched a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Station Maui, and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter William Hart to respond to the situation.

“Due to the potential pollution threat this vessel represents to the sensitive marine environment and surrounding area, and with a heightened concern for the strong Kona winds predicted through Wednesday, the Coast Guard is proactively engaged with the vessel owner to ensure salvage and pollution removal efforts are made as quickly and safely as possible,” said Cmdr. Kristen Hahn, Sector Honolulu Response department head.

Good Samaritan vessels operating in the area were able to safely transport eight people, including five children, to Lahaina, Maui. No injuries were reported.

The Coast Guard reports that the agency and the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources are ensuring the responsible party is taking the appropriate actions to salvage and minimize any potential impacts to the environmentally sensitive area around Lahaina. No wildlife impacts have been reported or observed at this time, according to the USCG.

A separate grounding of an 84-foot boat was reported during severe weather in south Maui on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Images from that incident are available online .

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Coast Guard, partner agency assist 5, dog after boat runs aground near Fripp Island

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A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah helicopter crew and a local partner agency assisted five people and their dog after their 23-foot boat ran aground near Fripp Island, South Carolina, on July 21, 2024. The helicopter crew hoisted all individuals, including the dog, and safely transported them to Beaufort Executive Airport with no medical concerns. (U.S. Coast Guard video, courtesy Air Station Savannah)

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Fast Company runs aground, then goes down in Nawiliwili

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Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island

Speedy checked on Fast Company after Fast Company ran aground at the point of the Nawiliwili Harbor breakwater on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

A good Samaritan fishing boat and a canoe from a practicing canoe club checked on Fast Company crew members who evacuated to the breakwater on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Fast Company crew members were on the Nawiliwili Harbor breakwater, as waves pound the Olson 30 that ran aground at the point of the breakwater on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Fast Company crew members got help from the Bonjolea II crew after Fast Company ran aground at the breakwater during the final race of the NYC Wahine Series on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Surrounded by good Samaritan boats, the waters of Nawiliwili Harbor claimed Fast Company after the Olson 30 ran aground during the NYC Wahine Series on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

NAWILIWILI — What was supposed to be the final race of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Wahine Series on Thursday turned out to be the final race for Fast Company at Nawiliwili Harbor.

Sailing under conditions of less than 20-knot winds, Fast Company was in fourth place below Bonjolea II and OZone following the first of three legs. The Olson 30 was heading outbound to the Ninini Point buoy in the second leg when disaster struck. Fast Company ran aground at the point of the breakwater.

Speedy, another of three Olson 30s involved in the race, slowed to check on Fast Company’s condition, and the race continued with the leader boats unaware of the mishap at the mouth of the harbor.

As the realization of the situation set in, first responders, including the Kaua‘i Fire Department, Ocean Safety Bureau, American Medical Response, the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources enforcement and boating divisions, and the state’s Department of Transportation, Harbors Division security lined the access road to the jetty parking area to watch rescue and salvage operations unfold.

The distressed Olson 30 was able to free itself from the breakwater grip after tolerating several damaging hits by waves, one of which generated a sickening crunch in the collection of good Samaritan boats, including a practicing canoe club, incoming fishing boats and other members of the NYC racing fleet.

Kaua‘i Sailing Association instructor Carl Andersson launched the club’s motorized dingy, while the stricken Olson 30 kept riding low on the water, an indication that it was taking in water.

The crew evacuated the stricken vessel to the breakwater and were rescued by the flotilla of good Samaritans, while the first responders monitored the operation.

Within an hour of first grounding before 6 p.m., the Olson 30 succumbed despite repeated efforts at trying to salvage the boat and keep it afloat. The bow slipped beneath the water’s surface and was silently swallowed by the Nawiliwili waters surrounded by the good Samaritan boats.

Short of minor cuts and bruises, the crew was rescued from their breakwater perch by no shortage of good Samaritan boaters. There were no finish horns to sound as the race was suspended in favor of helping the fellow boaters in distress.

The Harbors Division office was concerned about the impact of the sinking on commerce. Harbors Division personnel joined the U.S. Coast Guard in mapping out the area where the boat sank, and following assessment deemed the harbor OK for traffic.

That allowed the Young Brothers barge waiting off-short to enter with its load. The clearance also allowed the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Pride of America to be able to leave the harbor on its scheduled departure.

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Salvage Operations Planned For Pair Of Vessels Aground Off Maui

A former Navy vessel released an oily sheen into the water while a passenger ferry apparently missed channel markers and ended up stuck.

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, the U.S. Coast Guard and salvage contractors have been responding to two large vessels that were grounded on Maui as of Thursday afternoon.

The 85-foot former Navy torpedo boat Chaparral is resting on Sugar Beach in North Kihei while the Expeditions Lanai ferry grounded outside the Maalaea Small Boat Harbor, according to a DLNR news release.

In the case of the Navy vessel, the grounding happened on Jan. 9. No one was onboard at the time but the vessel sustained a breach to its hull and released an oil sheen into the water, the Coast Guard said in a separate release.

The Coast Guard told the vessel owner to take action to remove pollutants but the “owner was unable to do so,” the federal agency said.

A contractor hired by the Coast Guard cut holes in the boat’s decking to reach the hull so that over 6,800 gallons of oily waste, 14 55-gallon drums of soiled sorbents, batteries and other hazardous materials could be recovered, according to the agencies.

After the pollutants were removed, the Coast Guard transferred control of the vessel to the state.

“During this process, more holes may have occurred, so we’re not sure about the state of the hull at the moment,” said Ed Underwood, administrator of the state Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.

The division is seeking bids from salvage companies to complete the job which will likely entail cutting the vessel up on the beach next to a condo building and hauling the parts away. Officials considered having the Chaparral towed to Oahu but ruled that option out for fear the damaged boat might break apart en route.

The Chaparral’s owner has apparently left so the salvage costs will be borne by the state’s boating special fund , financed with fees and charges that boaters pay.

The registered owner the vessel is Justin Moore of Battleship LLC, said Dan Dennison, DLNR spokesman.

The Maui-Lanai ferry grounded on Monday morning, according to DLNR.

The captain “apparently missed the channel markers,” the news release said.

“Right now it’s physically sitting just on a reef, but we’re not quite sure whether it’s coral or rubble,” said Maghan Statts, assistant administrator of the Division of Boating and Outdoor Recreation. 

The state is having a biologist, when the weather dies down, go out to assess the area just to make sure that it’s not sitting on coral.

The boat’s owner has already hired a contractor from Oahu and, weather permitting, a salvage operation is expected to happen Saturday morning. 

Civil Beat’s coverage of Maui County is supported in part by a grant from the Nuestro Futuro Foundation.

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Video: Coast Guard rescues 5 people, dog after boat runs aground

Carianne Luter , Digital Media & Engagement Manager

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Coast Guard and Beaufort County Marine Rescue helped rescue five people and a dog Sunday after their boat ran aground near Fripp Island, a release from the United States Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard Sector Charleston command center was called around 2 p.m. by a person aboard a 23-foot boat. Watchstanders contacted Beaufort County Marine Rescue who launched an airboat crew to assist, the release said.

Once the airboat crew arrived on scene their boat suffered an engine casualty. A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew rescued five people, a dog and two airboat crew members.

“Due to the high number of people, this turned out to be a fairly complex evolution that required multiple trips to the vessel in distress,” said Lt. Cmdr. Carl Luxhoj, Coast Guard Air Station Savannah aircraft commander. “Our crew did a great job of managing aircraft weight and power margin to conduct the hoists. Due to the impressive range of tides in the Lowcountry region, we recommend all mariners check tides and currents before going out on the water.”

No hospitalizations were needed after the rescue and Beaufort County Marine Rescue recovered their airboat and the 23-foot boat, a release said.

Press the play button above to watch the video of the rescue.

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Breaking news, dramatic video shows coast guard pluck five people, pet pup, from rocky south carolina shoreline.

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Dramatic US Coast Guard video captures the daring rescue of five people and their pet pup who were stranded when their boat ran aground on a rocky stretch of a South Carolina barrier island on Sunday.

Coast Guard officials said they got a call about 2 p.m. that a crew of boaters were stuck on a section of Fripp Island after their 23-foot craft got stuck on the rocks, according a press release .

The agency dispatched an MH-65 Dolphin chopper from the Savannah air station, which lowered a crew member and a stretcher, pulling everyone to safety aboard the helicopter.

“Due to the high number of people, this turned out to be a fairly complex evolution that requires multiple trips to the vessel in distress,” Lt. Commander Carl Luxhoj, aircraft commander of the station, said.

“Our crew did a great job of managing aircraft weight and power margin to conduct the hoists,” Luxhoj added. “Due to the impressive range of tides in the Lowcountry region, we recommend all mariners check tides and currents before going out on the water.”

The Coast Guard said a two-member airboat from Beaufort County Marine Rescue was also dispatched to the stranded boat and helped in the rescue from the ground.

The rescued boaters were flown to Beaufort Executive Airport and no injuries were reported.

The stranded boat and the airboat were both later recovered by the marine rescue group.

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Coast guard crew aids group of 5, plus dog, after boat runs aground in beaufort county.

The rescue was all caught on video.

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Five people and a dog were rescued by a Coast Guard crew after their boat ran aground Sunday in Beaufort County.

Watch video from the rescue above

According to officials, a Coast Guard Air Station Savannah helicopter crew and a local partner agency assisted five people and their dog after their 23-foot boat ran aground near Fripp Island.

The helicopter crew hoisted everyone, including the dog, and safely transported them to Beaufort Executive Airport.

No injuries were reported.

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‘Fortunate to walk away’: World champion surfer hospitalized after being run over by a boat

H ONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A well-known Maui waterman is recovering after being injured in an accident in the waters off Maui’s North Shore.

Zane Schweitzer, 30, says he was out training for a stand-up paddling competition last Tuesday when he encountered dolphins.

“All of sudden, I have these dolphins riding behind me on the same swell,” Schweitzer said.

He took advantage of the rare and beautiful moment and jumped off his board to look below the surface.

Schweitzer says his escort boat was in front of him and he didn’t notice the boat had turned and was headed back toward him.

GRAPHIC: The following details may be disturbing for some viewers.

“They probably noticed the dolphin pod. I noticed the commission and had the only time to lift my head up and put my hands in front of my face, and the boat hit me dead on in the face,” Schweitzer said.

“The prop and the engine got me on my back, and the lower part of the body.”

Schweitzer said he suffered several hairline fractures and cuts from the propeller blade on his face and back.

“As watermen, we always have to find a lesson to walk away from. Whether it’s a win or a lose, or wave beat down or what not. I consider this situation a win in that I was fortunate to walk away from it,” Schweitzer said.

While in the hospital, Schweitzer missed attending the ESPY awards in Los Angeles, where fellow Maui surfers were honored for helping their community after the Lahaina wildfire disaster. He also missed the Paddle Imua contest.

He says his rehab will take about two months, but he’s still grateful.

“At the end, I have nothing but love and forgiveness for all parties involved, including the boat operator,” he said.

He’s now sharing his story, hoping to help others avoid preventable mistakes.

“It’s not always the 100-foot waves or the Gail force winds that are the biggest dangers in the water,” he explained.

“It’s the choices we make and the people we surround ourselves with, and we have to be really cautious because often times the biggest hazards are people and crafts.”

Schweitzer has received more than 1,000 well wishes online. He wants to thank everyone and says he plans to get back in the water as soon as possible.