06/29/2005: "MV Swan Sinks Near Friday Harbor"

Port of FH photo

According to the Port of Friday Harbor, "The MV Swan sank last night at anchor about 100 feet outside the Port of Friday Harbor's western boundary and a just off of University of Washington Laboratory property. The Swan had been anchored in this location for about ten years. Nearby liveaboard boaters anchored behind the Port noticed the Swan was taking on water early Tuesday.

Island Oil Spill Association members did an initial assessment and found there was a slight sheen near the Swan but no significant amount of fuel or oil was coming from the sunken vessel. Gas, oil and solvent cans could be seen floating in the cabin which can escape when the Swan breaks up. Jackie Wolfe from IOSA notified the Coast Guard of the sinking. IOSA will boom the boat until the Swan can be emptied of debris and check for hazardous materials at the next low tide. Washington State Department of Ecology will fund the booming. The last registered owner of the vessel has been contacted.

The Swan is resting in about six feet of water on state land managed by the Department of Natural Resources and appears to be in an area under the jurisdiction of San Juan County".