Hook, Line and Sinker Update – 2025-02-16

Dear Townspeople,

Many, many hours have gone into solving the problem of the wrecked boat on our shore. We have involved the Sheriff, the State Bureau of Parks & Lands, the office in charge of Submerged Lands, our State Rep and Senator, Maine Harbormasters Association, and marine salvage experts.

At this time, the owner (unbelievably) must be legally allowed time to remove his boat. We (the Select Board) have officially declared the boat abandoned and put in motion the process required to get authorization from the State to remove and dispose of the wreckage. Based on what we know, that authorization is at minimum 3 weeks away.

Several plans are being considered for removal and cleanup (which almost certainly involves returning in the spring to clean the mud flats.) Funding remains an open question.

This situation has been eye-opening for us, to say the least. Legally, there’s nothing we could have done to prevent this from happening. And in spite of boats being abandoned in increasing numbers up and down the coast, there is currently no State or Federal law that addresses this issue.

I am happy to field questions or concerns and will post updates in the weekly newsletter and, when there’s news, right here.

Walter Briggs
walter.briggs@arrowsic.org