Cargo Ship Is Freed From Reef Near Harbor

A cargo ship that ran aground on a reef near the entrance to Barbers Point Harbor in Leeward Oahu last week was refloated early yesterday and allowed to enter the harbor. The 555-foot Cape Flattery was moved off the reef around 2:20 a.m. with the assistance of three tugs and then towed a mile offshore, Coast Guard spokesman Steve Carleton said. The hull of the vessel was inspected for damage inside and out before being allowed to enter the harbor late in the afternoon. About 9,000 tons of its cargo of granulated cement was removed before the ship was refloated, Carleton said. Earlier, more than 128,000 gallons of fuel oil was taken off the vessel. There were no reports of any pollution. Coast Guard officials said it will take weeks to learn why the ship ran aground about 400 yards from the harbor entrance Feb. 2.
Work crews moved the bulk freighter Cape Flattery yesterday from a reef where it had been stuck since Feb. 2.