PORT ANGELES — Kalakala owner Steve Rodrigues now faces thousands of dollars in Coast Guard fines and possible state legal action after he missed Wednesday’s deadline to tow the historic ferry out of Neah Bay.
It is possible the Kalakala could be seized — and auctioned off to the highest bidder — to pay costs racked up by Rodrigues and his dilapidated art deco vessel, a state official said.
“He hasn’t shown the financial wherewithal to move the vessel,” the official said.
The Coast Guard considers Rodrigues in violation of an order issued by Coast Guard Captain of the Port Danny Ellis.
Because Rodrigues has not safely moored or moved the rusting vessel, he is subject to a daily fine of up to $32,500, said John Veentjer, Coast Guard prevention office chief for the Puget Sound marine safety office.
Rodrigues on Wednesday verbally requested a seven-day extension from the Coast Guard.
Rodrigues was told to put his request for additional time in writing, Veentjer said.
Rodrigues also must comply with a state Department of Natural Resources order that he tow the 276-foot vessel off DNR shorelands in Neah Bay, where it is now moored about 100 yards west of the Makah tribe’s pier.
“It’s moving ahead,” Rodrigues said Wednesday at his Port Angeles Kalakala office and museum. “It involves a lot of complex issues.”
The Coast Guard’s Veentjer said in a telephone interview from his Seattle office: “The Coast Guard’s concern is where he’s moored, and how it’s unsafe for winter weather.”
The 69-year-old Kalakala could act as a sail in the event of high winds and list or sink, said Veentjer.
“We’re serious about this,” said Veentjer, “and we’re not going to allow (the Kalakala) to sit there and allow it to be there in a heavy storm.”
