Ship owner to pay $840,000 in damages for running aground, harming Hawaii coral reef in 2010

The federal government and the state of Hawaii have reached an agreement for damages from the owner of a cargo ship that harmed more than 100,000 coral colonies several years ago when it ran aground off Oahu.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports (http://bit.ly/1CaDfil) Denak Ship Management and Vogetrader Shipping Inc. will pay $840,000 to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The agency says the 733-foot bulk carrier Vogetrader with a load of coal damaged 103,027 coral colonies when it ran aground Feb. 5, 2010, off Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will use $695,657 to restore or protect coral reef habitat and oversee restoration. The rest of the money will reimburse the agency for assessing damage.

The public will have 30 days to comment on the settlement.

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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com