Over $60,000 in penalties for sunken boats in Grays Harbor & Pacific County

Nearly $63,000 in penalties between January through March of this year were reported in Grays Harbor and Pacific County due to sunken vessels.

Ecology states that they have issued $210,100 in direct penalties of $1,000 or more through March.

Included in these penalties is $3,500 for John W Simons, Jr for 2 boats that sank in the Hoquiam River and spilled nearly 250 gallons of oil and diesel into the river between them.

$29,023 in state cleanup costs were also assessed to Simons.

Also penalized was Sun Feather LightDancer of Bay Center after his 125-foot boat sank on the Palix River, whereoil continuously spilled for nearly a month, impacting local oyster-growing operation.

LightDancer was also given $28,870 in cleanup costs.

Ecology works with thousands of businesses and individuals to help them comply with state laws. Penalties are issued in cases where non-compliance continues after Ecology has provided technical assistance or warnings, or for particularly serious violations.

The money owed from penalties may be reduced from the issued amount due to settlement or court rulings. Funds collected go to the state’s general fund or to dedicated pollution prevention accounts

Ecology strives to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment and promote wise management for current and future generations. When someone pollutes Washington’s land, air or waters, Ecology enforces state and federal regulations in hopes of changing behavior and deterring future violations.

 

Grays Harbor Hoquiam 1/31/2019 John W Simons, Jr. On July 26, 2017, the 43-foot wooden fishing vessel Perwyn sank at a private marina on the Hoquiam River discharging an estimated 50 gallons of diesel fuel to the water. The vessel owner did not notify state and federal authorities, and failed to clean up the spill. $1,500
Grays Harbor Hoquiam 1/31/2019 John W Simons, Jr. On March 4, 2018, the 70-foot wooden fishing vessel Lady Grace sank in the Hoquiam River discharging an estimated 196 gallons of oil to the river. The vessel owner did not notify state and federal authorities, and failed to clean up the spill. Also assessed $29,023 for state cleanup costs. $2,000
Pacific South Bend 3/1/2019 Sunfeather Lightdancer Bay Center On March 4, 2017, the 49 year-old, 125-foot, wood-hulled, ex-Antarctic research vessel Hero sank at its mooring at a private floating dock in the Palix River. As a result of the sinking, oil continuously spilled for nearly a month, impacting local oyster-growing operations located just downstream. Also assessed $28,870 in state cleanup costs. $1,200

A detailed list of all recent violations and resulting penalties is available online.