The Coast Guard said last night that it was monitoring the removal of nearly 4,400 gallons of diesel fuel from a University of Hawai'i research vessel moored at Sand Island Treatment Plant, pier 45, after fuel leaked into the water.

The Coast Guard was investigating the accident but had not determined how much fuel was spilled.

The master of the Kaimikai-O-Kanaloa, a 198-foot research vessel, contacted the Coast Guard yesterday at approximately 11:45 a.m. The master said a cracked fuel tank had allowed fuel to leak into the water.

The vessel's crew immediately shut down all operations and set up absorbent boom, to contain the spill.

The Kaimikai-O-Kanaloa contracted the Pacific Environmental Corporation to clean up the spill. PENCO was on scene removing the fuel, the Coast Guard said.

There were no injuries.