This old boat Poulsbo Marina won't miss a bit

One of the Port of Poulsbo's biggest eyesores went out with the tide yesterday morning.

Utilizing a new state Department of Natural Resources program, which provides money for the removal and disposal of derelict and abandoned boats, the Port had a 37-year-old, barnacle-collecting, 28-foot wooden cabin cruiser removed from its slip at the Poulsbo Marina.

The vessel, which resembles the ill-fated S.S. Minnow of "Gilligan's Island" fame, was towed to the Lake Washington Ship Canal, where Foss Environmental Services planned to remove the engine and fuel tanks and then send the hull to a landfill.

"The point is, it's not at the bottom of the Sound or somewhere else," said Washington Public Ports Association spokesman Matthew Erlich. "Oftentimes, boats are left at a marina, not only taking up a slip but causing rodent problems and environmental or other problems. This program helps take boats away before they become a serious issue."

Washington's program came about through recent legislation.

In 2001, Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, sponsored a law that created funds to dispose of hazardous substances from vessels.

Last year, Rep. Phil Rockefeller, D-Silverdale, sponsored a law to create funds for vessel removal. By raising annual vessel-registration fees from $10.50 to $12.50, and imposing a $5 surcharge on obtaining foreign-vessel-identification documents, the state plans to raise approximately $400,000 per year for the removal of derelict vessels.

In the past, the biggest problem associated with the removal of these boats has been the cost. Erlich said the average price of removing and demolishing a boat is $3,000, but for larger boats, the cost could exceed $15,000 — a big chunk of money for ports running on small budgets.

The cost of removing and demolishing the Poulsbo boat was roughly $5,000.

The Port of Poulsbo has had a long history with the cabin cruiser.

About three years ago, the boat's owner stopped paying moorage fees and owed the port more than $2,000. The port then took possession of the boat and auctioned it to a local young man for $1. He then moored it in Liberty Bay. He, too, lost interest in it.

In a Jan. 3 storm, the boat broke free of its line and drifted back to the marina. The port then contacted the young man, who had moved out of state, and persuaded him to relinquish possession of the boat.

Poulsbo Harbormaster Ed Erhardt said the Port of Poulsbo operates on an annual budget of about $60,000. Without the program, Erhardt said, it was likely the boat would have remained at the marina. Between paying to remove the boat and working on projects that would help more customers, Erhardt said he would have chosen the latter.

"My biggest concern was that it would sink or someone would vandalize it," he said. "I was relieved to see it leave the port. I gave them the title, shook their hands and said, 'Good luck.' "

Many ports are eager to participate in the program. A 2001 survey of 75 docks and marinas showed more than 100 derelict vessels were listed as problems.

The ports association is now in the process of creating an inventory of abandoned and derelict vessels. Since January, it has already identified 37 boats that will be eligible.

"This program is going to be pretty busy over the next couple years," Erlich said.

J.J. Jensen: 206-464-2386 or jjensen@seattletimes.com