DATE: November 14, 2019
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Stephanie Jones Stebbins, Managing Director Maritime Division
Sandra Kilroy, Director Maritime Environment & Sustainability
Mike DeSota, Sr. Environmental Program Manager
SUBJECT: Request for authorization of funds for the disposal of the Motor Vessel (M/V) Fire
Boat Alki (Short Form)
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute a contract totaling
$329,000 for disposal for the Motor Vessel Fire Boat Alki.
SUMMARY
The M/V Fire Boat Alki a 118-foot fire response vessel served as a City of Seattle Fire Boat from
1927 until 2013 when the City of Seattle sold it. The M/V Fire Boat Alki has transitioned
ownership several times and ultimately was abandoned at Fishermen’s Terminal in March of
2017 after a brief stay in a local shipyard facility. The Port of Seattle acting under RCW 79.100
obtained custody of the vessel in February of 2018. The Port of Seattle made significant efforts
to dispose or sell the boat and entertained several inquiries of interest from private parties
including a faith-based ministry in the Marshall Islands, a Dentist from Alaska, a foreign vessel
broker, and a local yacht broker. Unfortunately, none of the inquiries of interest presented a
viable option for the disposal or sale of M/V Fire Boat Alki. Requirements in RCW 79.100 for
selling a vessel of this size and age would likely create a significant financial burden to make the
M/V Fire Boat Alki seaworthy with little to no reduction in risk for future re-abandonment.
The M/V Fire Boat Alki presents a unique situation due to its age and build style that, if sold to
another party, makes it a high risk for re-abandonment. Future abandonment or possible
sinking could lead to deleterious environmental impacts as the vessel contains a high
percentage of lead paint on all surfaces and PCB’s in most of its electronic equipment. The Port
has solicited bids from the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services Derelict Vessel
and Emergency Response Contract for disposal of the vessel. The Port of Seattle received one
bid under the contract for $329,000 for the vessel disposal.