Rough sea conditions Wednesday forced state boating authorities to postpone attempts to raise a 25-foot sailboat from the Ala Wai channel.

Meghan Statts, Oahu district manager of the state Boating Division, said the state Department of Land and Natural Resources plans to hire a salvage contractor today to try to recover the sailboat, which sank in the channel next to Magic Island earlier this week.

The boat was last seen illegally moored off Magic Island Monday afternoon.

Statts said the boat’s owner had been cited Oct. 18 and warned that the vessel was going to be impounded because he had failed to pay mooring fees at Keehi boat harbor.

Only the boat’s mast is protruding above the waves.

The channel was closed Wednesday since state boating officials were unable to mark the location of the sunken vessel with a light or buoy because of rough water.

People should stay clear of the vessel during salvage and cleanup, and are warned of a possible increase of marine debris in the channel and off Waikiki and Ala Moana. Mariners may want to temporarily moor at nearby harbors.