Officials: Port Royal grounded on coral reef - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Officials: Port Royal grounded on coral reef

HONOLULU — The Navy warship that was grounded a half-mile off Honolulu for four days was stuck in coral reef, not rock and sand as Navy officials previously reported.

The finding is the second embarrassing revelation for the Navy, which also failed to notify the state that the cruiser Port Royal had discharged 7,000 gallons of wastewater when it was grounded.

Laura Thielen, chairwoman of the state land department, says subsequent surveys show the ship had grounded in coral reef and divers from the state and Navy are working to ensure no further damage occurs.

The Pacific Fleet and the state issued a joint press release Thursday, saying they were working cooperatively to assess the extent of the so-called “grounding scar.”