Fire destroys boat owned by shark tour operator
Honolulu firefighters and the Coast Guard are investigating a fire that destroyed a shark tour boat early Friday morning at Haleiwa Harbor.
The fire started about 12:40 a.m. and fully engulfed the 30-foot vessel by the time firefighters arrived a few minutes later, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Terry Seelig.
Flames burned the bridge and cabin of the Radon-brand boat, and radiant heat damaged another vessel nearby, he said.
Firefighters extinguished the fire about 1:30 a.m. Damage was estimated at $225,000.
The boat didn’t sink but it was hauled out of the water for investigators to look for a cause, Seelig said.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
The Coast Guard said it was investigating because the fire was aboard a commercial vessel.
Seelig said the boat was reported to be owned by a shark tour company.
A source familiar with the incident said the boat belongs to North Shore Shark Adventures. The company did not immediately return a call to comment.