Contractors for the state Department of Ecology investigate a sunken sailboat Aug. 20 on the Snohomish River. Work to remove it could begin Oct. 21. (Joey Thompson /Herald file)

Contractors for the state Department of Ecology investigate a sunken sailboat Aug. 20 on the Snohomish River. Work to remove it could begin Oct. 21. (Joey Thompson /Herald file)

Snohomish River almost rid of its worst abandoned junk boats

The state took custody of a 50-foot homemade sailboat near where a 100-foot ship sat for a year.

EVERETT — Weeks after crews worked to dismantle and remove the 100-foot Midas from the Snohomish River, another sunken boat nearby awaits a similar fate.

The state Department of Natural Resource’s Derelict Vessels Removal Program took custody Monday of a 50-foot sailboat about half a mile north of where the Midas sat for more than a year. Contractors have until Oct. 15 to submit bids to remove the wreck, with the hope of having it out of the river by the end of the month, program manager Troy Wood said.

If a contractor is selected quickly, work could start Oct. 21.

Getting the boat out of local waters will require re-floating it or craning it onto a barge. Early cost estimates are between $40,000 and $100,000, Wood said.

The DNR tries to get those responsible for derelict boats to pay up through payment plans or collections agencies.

But, more often than not, the program either fails to identify or to make contact with owners, Wood said. In total, the state recovers less than half a percent of removal costs from owners.

Although the state is looking for bids to remove the boat, it’s not too late for the owner to step in.

The homemade sailboat’s owner, who still hasn’t returned any of the DNR’s calls, has a history of abandoning junk boats. Previously, he’s left derelict vessels near Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island.

The problem with this particular owner is finding him, Wood said.

“We really don’t expect him to respond,” he said. “Our hope is that the collections will be able to make good on his debt. If not, we’d look at whether or not he has assets, such as property, before we would move to placing the burden squarely on the taxpayers.”

So far, the DNR hasn’t spent much money on the project and would prefer the owner come forward and remove the vessel himself, Wood said.

If a boat owner either has no assets or refuses to pay, the DNR can hand the case to local authorities, which can lead to a stint in jail, a hefty ticket or community service hours.

That’s a last resort, though, Wood said.

“We want to give the owners every opportunity to be responsible for their property,” he said.

For the Midas, removal costs were estimated at about $400,000. Wood said Wednesday the program was still tabulating the final figure. The Midas’ owner, Richard Cook, has been responsive but not willing to pony up for his bill.

With the Midas gone and the sailboat approaching its final days, the river is a step closer to being totally void of high-risk derelict boats, but Wood said you never know when another might come along.

“Especially when it comes to the Snohomish River estuary,” he said.

Joey Thompson: 425-339-3449; jthompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @byjoeythompson.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

The Washington State University Snohomish County Extension building at McCollum Park is located in an area Snohomish County is considering for the location of the Farm and Food Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Year-round indoor farmers market inches closer to reality near Mill Creek

The Snohomish County Farm and Food Center received $5 million in federal funding. The county hopes to begin building in 2026.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.