Kalakala owner wants to move ferry

The owner of the dilapidated, iconic ferry Kalakala is seeking help to bring the boat to Seattle's Colman Dock (Pier 50) within three years.

"We truly feel that the ship belongs in Seattle at Colman Dock as it did when the dock was renovated as art deco in 1935 and known then as the Kalakala's homeport," Steve Rodrigues wrote in a recent e-mail to several Seattle historic-preservation groups.

The proposal is one of many floated by Rodrigues since he bought the Kalakala in 2003. The ferry was docked in Seattle's Lake Union and Neah Bay before being moved to Tacoma's Hylebos Waterway more than a year ago.

In October, Rodrigues told Tacoma's Landmarks Preservation Commission he envisioned Tacoma as the Kalakala's permanent home, and the ship — which he said needs $15 million in restoration — being used as a museum, a restaurant and a wedding venue.

Susan Harris, a spokeswoman for the state ferry system, said Rodrigues asked once before to move the Kalakala to the state-owned Colman Dock. He was turned down, she said.

He requested a meeting with state ferry officials to discuss a potential role for the Kalakala in a planned redevelopment of Colman Dock.

Christine Palmer, preservation advocate for Historic Seattle, said her group has taken no position on Rodrigues' latest proposal.

Renton woman

killed in crash

A two-car head-on crash in Tukwila early Saturday morning killed a 31-year-old woman from Renton.

The woman, driving a Honda SUV, died at Harborview Medical Center after being pulled from the wreck on the 13000 block of Tukwila International Boulevard.

A second driver, a 43-year-old woman from Seattle, appeared to cross over the center line, striking the northbound Honda, according to Tukwila police. The Seattle woman was admitted to Harborview with non life-threatening injuries.

During the ensuing police investigation, a Tukwila police cruiser was hit by a passing car. The driver of that car was arrested by the Washington State Patrol on suspicion of drunken driving.

Shaw Island

Diver found dead

without equipment

A 39-year-old man, diving near Broken Point on the north side of Shaw Island, was found dead Saturday afternoon, according to the San Juan County Sheriff's Office.

The man was found in the water without his dive equipment. Efforts to revive him and find his equipment were unsuccessful. The man's name is being withheld until relatives are told of his death.

Brookings, Ore.

Teens punished

for search pranks

Two Oregon teenagers whose prank calls prompted the Coast Guard to search for phantom vessels were given short stints in detention and ordered to pay more than $63,000 in restitution.

The teens were convicted of disorderly conduct in Curry County District Court for making several prank calls.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard's Thirteenth District, headquartered in Seattle, the teens made three false distress calls in October, pretending to be stranded boaters. The Coast Guard then launched searches with lifeboats and a helicopter.

Each boat costs about $1,200 per hour; the helicopter costs up to $12,000 per hour, according to the Coast Guard.

One of the teens was ordered to spend 32 days in juvenile detention and pay $53,233 to the Coast Guard. The other was given eight days in detention and ordered to pay $10,650.

Times staff and wire reports