HARPSWELL, Maine — It was one of the most memorable images taken in the wake of two coastal storms back in January. The Jacob Pike, a historic fishing vessel, at the bottom of New Meadows River in Harpswell.
Since it sank, the ship has been surrounded by oil spill booms as it's been leaking.
"What we've seen so far for sheening is stuff that shouldn't have a long-standing effect," Maine Department of Environmental Protection Division of Response Services Director Christopher Hopper said.
The ship has essentially been abandoned by its owner and deemed a pollution threat, so the U.S. Coast Guard has stepped in.
In collaboration with other partners, the Coast Guard started working to remove the Jacob Pike from the water by lifting it with airbags.
"The goal is to inspect it, make sure it is structurally intact to tow it away to Turner's Island, and have it disposed of," Lt. Pamela Manns with the U.S. Coast Guard told NEWS CENTER Maine.
But not everyone is on board with this final plan for the boat.
"The Jacob Pike was a sardine carrier that was built for my great-grandfather and he named it after my great-great grandfather," Sumner Rugh said.
Rugh said he hopes to preserve the piece of family and Maine history so others may enjoy it. It's why he's asking the Coast Guard to give the ship to his nonprofit.
"The conversation with the Coast Guard has been a little difficult," Rugh explained. "You know, through legal representation, we’re sort of going back and forth trying to come up with a plan."
Despite being able to dispose of the vessel, the Coast Guard said it's not able to give the boat to Rugh because it's still owned by the person who left it in the river.
The Coast Guard said the owner will have to pay for the removal operation, which is estimated to be around $300,000.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Coast Guard was not certain when the ship would be fully lifted out of the water.