HARPSWELL, Maine (NEWS CENTER Maine) - Two sunken boats pose navigational and environmental risks for commercial fishermen and recreational boaters. Paul Plummer, the harbormaster and marine resource administrator, is concerned the fuel tanks could leak and he is worried about boaters hitting it if they are unfamiliar with the area.
A temporary wooden float is hovering over a 42-foot commercial fishing vessel off Cundy's Harbor in Harpswell. Plummer is in contact with the owner, but the owner told him he can't afford to move the ship.
"The concern is for out-of-towners or the visitors that come, maybe even commercial fisherman that aren't from the area, but want to pop in and grab fuel," said Plummer. "If they don't know about it that's going to be the biggest issue."
In Middle Bay, a sunken sailboat is in a channel frequently used by shellfish harvesters. It lays on the Harpswell-Brunswick line and is only partly visible during low tide. The 26-to-28-footer reportedly sank after taking-on heavy ice in January. The boat named the "Brigadoon" has been on the town's radar since Thanksgiving, after someone called it in for dragging its anchor. Plummer talked to the owner then, but after it sank authorities have been unable to get in touch with him.
The owners of the boats have 13 business days to respond to the town with a plan. The fear is Harpswell could be on the hook for raising and towing the boats, which could cost more than $14,000. Plummer mentioned fundraising as an option to potentially pay for the expenses.