OWLS HEAD, Maine — Quick coordination between the Coast Guard and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection led to the fast removal of a houseboat, the Endeavor, that was abandoned in Rockland Harbor.
The vessel was pulled from its spot Monday and taken to shore for demolition. The vessel had been abandoned there on July 22 after the owner was having it hauled to the shore in hopes of making repairs on dry ground.
The remediation costs were borne by Coast Guard funding. The DEP will cover the land-side demolition costs.
The cost was $80,000. DEP spokesman David Madore said the state tries to recoup costs.
“In some cases, a known responsible party may not have the funds, or cannot be located, which results in the Department expending significant resources while having little to no chance of success at cost recovery. In this case the Department is still weighing its options to determine if there is viable opportunity to recover costs,” he said.
Rockland’s Harbormaster Molly Eddy thanked Charlie’s Marine Services and O’Hara’s in the effort. Charles Weidman floated the vessel and then towed it to O’Hara’s dock in the North End where it was then taken to Prock Marine and demolished.
DEP staff and the Coast Guard arrived on site July 25. Sorbent and hard containment booms were placed around the boat to contain any fuel leaking from the vessel. Fuel was removed but some remained which led to the quick action by agencies.
The boat had been at the dock of the Sail, Power and Steam Museum for the past few years. Capt. Jim Sharp said he needed dock space for the Mercantile and put the Endeavor on a mooring. Former owner Gary Ellsworth had made an addition to the former fishing trawler to give it the houseboat look with a cupola added. Dylan McClure recently acquired the vessel and planned to make repairs to the cement hull, which was leaking when the effort to ground it went awry. Sharp said local shipyards were all booked and could not do the repairs, so the owner was planning to make the repairs himself.
McClure could not be reached for comment.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.
