PORT TOWNSEND — A small sloop that broke loose from its moorings Feb. 6 and became lodged in the sand near the Boat Haven remained stuck Thursday while the owner made plans for its salvage or removal.
The Halcyon, a 27-foot sailboat owned by Michael Clark of Seattle, landed on the beach next to the Larry Scott Memorial Trail after its anchor line broke during a storm.
Attempts to remove the craft by Vessel Assist of Port Hadlock were unsuccessful, and Clark has spent the intervening time attempting to develop a plan for its removal.
He is in contact with the state Department of Ecology, though no action is pending, said agency spokeswoman Linda Kent.
“We are in touch with the owner of the boat and have asked to be kept apprised of his plans,” Kent said.
“We want to make sure that anything he does in the disposal of the boat is done in an environmentally responsible manner.”
Clark visits the boat daily.
He recently extracted some of the remaining gasoline and oil from the engine.
The boat also has been stripped down, first by Clark, then by the ocean and more recently by scavengers.
“People have started to take some stuff,” he said.
“Some of them see a boat on a beach and think they have salvage rights.
“But that can be granted only by a judge,” he added.
Clark now is deciding whether to dismantle the boat or float it out to sea, but that depends on the disposition of any hazardous materials.
Clark said he was not upset about the boat’s loss.
He purchased it for only $1,500 in January.
Port Townsend/Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
