F/V Persistence a persistent problem for Port

Two and a half months after she sank at her mooring in the Westport Marina, the F/V Persistence continues to be a persistent problem for the Port of Grays Harbor.

Due to failed caulking, the 68-foot wooden crabber that was built in Los Angeles, Calif. in 1927, rolled over on her side and sank in the marina on Dec. 6, still tied to the float.

According to the Port of Grays Harbor, the owner hired a diver to float the boat and remove it from the marina. Misinformation related to the weight of the vessel, weather and equipment delays resulted in a failed effort.

Without resources to remove the vessel, the owner abandoned it and the Persistence became the Port’s problem.

According to Westport Marina Manager, Robin Leraas, “When the owner could not obtain the resources to get the boat out, on or around the 20th of December, marina staff became concerned the boat would break our docks or the docks would break up the boat due to high winds and king tides.

“That would have created an issue to navigation in the marina. When it became clear the removal of the vessel would require action by the Port, we got two bids from divers for its removal, one from Ballard Diving and another from Express Diving, as well as a bid from Brumfield Construction for its disposal.”

At their regular meeting on Feb. 9, Port of Grays Harbor commissioners passed a motion ratifying the actions of the Executive Director in declaring an emergency and awarding contracts to Morris and Morris Construction, Express Diving Service and Brumfield Construction for the removal and disposal of the vessel.

With all the appropriate contracts in place, the F/V Persistence was finally refloated on Feb. 17 and towed to the public boat launch. The following day, a Brumfield Construction track hoe operator dragged the vessel to the top of the ramp. He then chewed open her bow to create access to the engine room for testing for potential toxic substances, including asbestos.

With negative test results in hand a few days later, the boat was cleared for demolition.