UPDATE: Yet another emergency response at Don Armeni Boat Ramp, same boat

5:01 PM: If you’re seeing emergency responders heading toward Don Armeni Boat Ramp – it’s another “boat sinking” call and SFD/SPD are trying to determine if it’s the same boat that’s drawn responses the past two days, and was supposed to be getting attention from the US Coast Guard and Department of Ecology too.

5:04 PM: They’ve verified it’s the same boat, which would make this the fourth response in three days for it. But one radio exchange suggested someone at the USCG told SFD the boat had been removed, so they’re trying to get that all straightened out.

6 PM: Postscript – the USCG was definitely there with the boat earlier this afternoon, reports Stewart L., who sent these photos:

We’ll check on its status before dark.

9:22 PM: It was dark by the time we got there, but an effort appeared to be under way to get the boat onto a trailer. Here’s what we saw a little over an hour ago:

ADDED 10:57 AM SATURDAY: Police have now been dispatched to Don Armeni for something related to this boat and report to dispatch that it’s still there, still on a trailer with a pickup hitched to it.

Seth September 5, 2025 (5:14 pm)

Bruh if your calling EMS 4 times in 3 days for the same boat, you should be footed the bill for times 3 and 4. Irresponsible boat owner making the rest of us unsafe. Get whatever issue is fixed by someone who knows what thier doing and stop wasting resources so you can save a few bucks by not fixing it yourself.

WSB September 5, 2025 (5:49 pm)

At least two of the calls came from third parties, not the boat owner, as described by dispatch.
- Clarence September 5, 2025 (8:17 pm)
  
  I’m not sure it matters who called it in? The owner of the boat should be held responsible for the cost of the response, I think that’s the point here.
  - West Seattle Mad Sci Guy September 6, 2025 (12:17 am)
    
    Right, but it’s a short sighted take. It’s not the boat owners fault it kept getting called in over a few days. You can’t always organize getting a boat in distress out of the water by snapping your fingers.
    - 22blades September 6, 2025 (3:43 am)
      
      It’s not a particularly complicated feat. Every boat owner has paid into an abandoned vessel recovery fund upon registration in this state. It’s the responsibility of the vessel operator to assure seaworthiness. “I don’t have the money” or “I’m not a mechanic” doesn’t cut it. Those rescue resources should be available for real emergencies. It’s like calling an ambulance instead of Uber.https://dnr.wa.gov/aquatics/recovering-derelict-vessels
    - Brian September 6, 2025 (8:19 am)
      
      Dude shouldn’t own a boat then. Impound it and bill him. Simple as.
    - K September 6, 2025 (8:48 pm)
      
      I imagine he would love to be free of this boat, but it’s not like you can just drop a derelict boat off at Goodwill.

22blades September 5, 2025 (5:17 pm)

Time to bill him. Willful negligence.

Hammer in Hand September 6, 2025 (10:05 am)

So if You catch your house on fire you think you should get a bill for your stupidity? You don’t get charged per call

Rainer September 5, 2025 (6:30 pm)

There was a lot of action late this afternoon, with fire boats and fire trucks and lots of man power. But they still did not remove the boat :-(

WSB September 5, 2025 (9:06 pm)

Thanks, separate story on that.

WSCurmudgeon September 5, 2025 (6:32 pm)

“Don” responded last eve like he was “the Ancient Mariner.” A pic was posted that showed a boat tied up on the ramp floating, supposedly taken after midnight. WSB’s pic, taken after 10PM showed only the bow above water. No explanation of how that was achieved in less than 2 hours. There’s a piece or more of the puzzle missing.

BG September 5, 2025 (6:46 pm)

I happened to ride my bike by there today during the response. Apparently, someone called 911 because of the sunken boat tied to the dock. About 5 or 6 Fire Department vehicles, two Fire Dept boats, and a police car were on scene. As it was during dinner, I’m sure the Fire Dept personnel involved were stoked.Captain Dan the Boat Guy is running quite the tab of taxpayers dollars, and wasting a lot of people’s time. Since he won’t remove his sunken boat from the Don Armeni ramp, Parks Department should contract a salvage firm and bill this guy.Operating a boat is a serious responsibility. It really helps to know what you are doing. A WA state Boater Education Card is a good start.

Rhonda September 5, 2025 (7:33 pm)

Sigh…

WS Res September 5, 2025 (7:39 pm)

At what point does “my boat sank again” become “illegal dumping”?

West Seattle Mad Sci Guy September 6, 2025 (12:18 am)

You should see what happens off the coast of Victoria BC. A loophole has so many derelict boats just chilling a certain distance off the coast, legally. Until they sink.

Kt September 5, 2025 (8:47 pm)

Why can’t they just remove the boat from the water?

WSB September 5, 2025 (8:51 pm)

We were just down at Don Armeni. It was partly on a trailer and it appeared a towing (on land) attempt would be made.

wetone September 5, 2025 (10:00 pm)

One dangerous situation getting worse by the looks from last picture. The tow rig is way to light duty for towing a 30’+ boat and triple axle trailer due to weight and width. If pulling that setup on public roadway stay far away from it. Highly illegal, hopefully he’s just moving to parking lot.

Everything in Moderation September 6, 2025 (8:29 am)

Lol that’s definitely not a 30′ boat. We have a boat like that and I can’t imagine this one’s longer than 20′. Usually trailered with a single axle. I’m guessing they grabbed a triple axle to handle the weight from the water taken on board. But I would also guess they’ll hang out for an hour or so to let it drain before driving.
- WSB September 6, 2025 (11:05 am)
  
  Looking at it relatively close up, we estimated 20 feet or so too.

WSPK September 6, 2025 (11:42 am)

I rode by there around 10AM, and the boat was up on a trailer, in the parking lot. Based on the amount of crust on the hull and heavy accumulation of mussel growth on the sterndrive, I’d say it’s been a long time since that boat was really seaworthy.

wetone September 6, 2025 (12:06 pm)

Look at floating docks and how long each section is, then boat tied to them. Boat is definitely 28’-30’ and 9’-10’ beam;) The SUV hooked to trailer is 16’ roughly…

Je September 6, 2025 (4:01 pm)

Anyone remember “pallet” man who had the trailers, cars, and other debris on Harbor Ave (before they put up the no parking at night signs)? I think he’s back in a vacant lot on Harbor Ave, camped out with same black and white trailer with other debris scattered about.This is across from the drive-thru coffee stand, and in that space between the bike trail and the rail tracks. Been there week or two now. Saw him breaking into that abandoned & graffiti covered trailer with some type of serious cutter that shot sparks from the sides. He had a boat like that in the photo above and it was on a trailer. Like before, he keeps adding junk to the site. I believe he’s the one who ended up in hospital after his trailer exploded when he was on Harbor Ave before. I ride by every day and not happy he’s back. Seemed like a lot of bicycles were around him at that time. Can’t accuse because didn’t see anything. But there is a bad vibe around his doings. Just saying.

wetone September 6, 2025 (4:52 pm)

Here’s some pictures from 3:30pm sat. Truck that was hooked to boat trailer was getting towed off, trailer had 2 flat tires. As shown by pictures boat is 30’ as I mentioned…….What ever happed between last night and this morning would have been fun to watch……what a mess.

BG September 7, 2025 (1:50 pm)

My friend was at the ramp today and told me a guy came down to look at the trailer and said it was his, and stolen from Bellevue. My friend said the boater was arrested.

Sorry, comment time is over.