Maui Lu

In 1977-1983 this vessel was operated as a coastal charter vessel by Kirkwood Charters Inc., Whonnock BC Canada.

In 1989 this vessel was listed for sale at $400,000. On December 7, 1990 this vessel sank from intake of water below the waterline while 10nm south of Banks Island in Hecate Strait while on her way to Prince Rupert BC Canada. Tom May (Email to Nauticapedia 14/05/2026) stated "Norsal was one of the best known large private yachts built on the West Coast in the Early 20th century.

She was referred to as the queen of the yachts built in British Columbia. Her hull planks were the full length of the vessel.

She was owned in the early 1970's by the well-known logger and politician Gordon Gibson, who changed her name to Maui Lou, and sailed her to Hawaii and back. None of her crew on this voyage were seasoned mariners and the navigation for the trip was largely following jet contrails as all the aircraft overhead were going to or from Hawaii. When the supply of fuel filters was exhausted, the crews' socks were used . This adventure is wonderfully documented in Gibson's book Bull of the Woods. In her final years she was powered by a pair of Gardner 8LH engines. While awaiting a replacement starter motor it was found that the engine with the failed starter could be "jump started" by running on the other engine and reaching about 3 knots then engaging the clutch on the spinning shaft on the dead motor with the compression releases open at each cylinder then closing them one at a time. Norsal was tragically lost in a hurricane in Hecate Strait. Heroic efforts on the night of December 7, 1990, by both the US and Canadian Coast Guards saved the lives of crew of three."