Tribe deals with sunken boat

What appeared to be a derelict boat sank at a tribal dock on the Swinomish Channel last week.

According to Swinomish Environmental Compliance Manager Scott Andrews, although there was fuel aboard the vessel, there was not a significant amount released into the water.

“There was only a slight sheen on the water,” he said. “Not enough to bring the oil booms out.”

When the boat was recovered, 130 gallons of diesel fuel was pumped from fuel tanks aboard the 34-foot tribal fisher.

The sinking was reported at 10 a.m. last Wednesday when somebody spotted a submerged boat at a tribal float on the channel.

“The boat looked to be almost abandoned,” Andrews said. The reason for the sinking was not clear, but he said “neglect, rain water and zero maintenance” could be factors.

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community hired a contractor to haul out the vessel, which is now in a boat “bone yard” on reservation land near Latitude Marine on the south end of the La Conner side of the channel.

The U.S. Coast guard also investigated the sinking, Andrews said, and it is possible the owner of the boat will be billed for any environmental damage and cited for any codes that may have been violated.