The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is advising the public to stay clear of two orange buoys in the ocean waters at Tongg's surf break near Diamond Head.

The buoys mark the spot near the Elks Club where the sailing vessel Victoria went aground on Monday morning and broke up in the surf.

What remains is a portion of the vessel's keel approximately 100 yards offshore that is wedged in the reef. A marine salvage company could not remove the keel yesterday due to rising surf.

The keel is submerged during high tide and may have sharp or pointed edges that could seriously injure ocean users. The DLNR is advising anyone entering the ocean waters in this area to stay at least 30 feet away from the two small orange buoys to prevent injury.

Salvagers hope to remove the keel and the orange marker buoys today, or as soon as the surf subsides and conditions are conducive to operations.

Three men had sailed the 42-foot Victoria on a 17-day trip from San Pedro, Calif. Maui resident Pat Magee bought the boat on eBay for $4,300, spent the past two years fixing it up and was bringing it to Hawai'i when it hit the reef.

After trying to free the boat, the men got off unharmed.

For information about the salvage operation, call the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation's O'ahu District office at 587-1973.