Dan (his last name withheld), the new owner of a 1994 Bayliner Sierra 3055, found himself navigating a series of unfortunate events that turned a routine boat purchase in need of small repairs into a desperate struggle against the elements and unexpected setbacks. What began two weeks ago as an appointment to fix impellers and transom leaks has escalated into a battle to save his cherished vessel, now partially submerged.

The boat had lost a significant amount of fuel leaving a sheen on the water which prompted the Seattle Fire Department to eventually place a containment boom around it.

The initial plan was straightforward. Dan had an appointment with a Marina in Tacoma, a facility that advertised itself as a "do-it-yourself yard". The work involved hauling the boat out to repair the impellers and fix leaks in the transom. Dan said he had clearly communicated the necessary tasks, and the marina seemed to understand. However, on the morning of their appointment, after Dan had paid a deposit and signed papers, an hour before the scheduled time as suggested, a chilling discovery was made. Another boat, its slings still dripping wet, had just been put into the water by the marina's crane. Despite clear evidence of a crane operator being on duty, Dan was informed they couldn't haul his boat. A voicemail, which Dan only received later due to his phone being dropped and recently replaced, claimed there wouldn't be a crane operator. Online reviews revealed a pattern: other customers had also reported being refused service for unknown reasons, even after prior agreements.

With that Marina being the only facility in Tacoma able to perform the required service, Dan and his partner Derek were left with no option but to bring the boat north to Seattle. So, Dan embarked on a journey, sailing the supposedly "seaworthy" vessel from Tacoma to Seattle. The trip was uneventful until he reached Alki Point. There, in the waters off Beach Drive, they encountered orcas. Following protocol, Dan shut down the boat's engine as they were within 500 yards of the marine mammals. His dog watched, fish jumped, and Dan, momentarily distracted by the spectacle, realized he hadn't been paying attention to the boat's status.

When he attempted to restart the engine, it wouldn't respond. The batteries were dead, leaving the Bayliner Sierra 3055 adrift. Someone on shore called the fire department, which promptly arrived. Dan explained the power issue, and the fire department connected his boat to a mooring buoy 50 yards off Beach Drive before departing. Exhausted from trying to get the boat to shore, Dan took a nap. He awoke to a horrifying sight: water was on the floor in the galley, in the kitchen area of the boat. The boat was still without power.

Dan called the fire department again. This time, they returned quickly, their response time "incredible". They pumped the boat out and provided a charger for the batteries. Dan wondered why this couldn't have been done during their initial visit. A plan was made to pull the boat to Don Armeni Park. However, during the tow, the charger couldn't remain connected to both boats, so it was disconnected, preventing the batteries from fully charging.

After the fire department left, Dan was left with his boat sitting amidst marine traffic. The stern, where the original leak was located, was repeatedly slammed by waves. The following morning, Dan, who had to retrieve his truck from Tacoma while Derek was sick in the hospital, returned to a grim sight. The boat was barely afloat, "poking its nose up out of the water," with most of it submerged. According to witnesses the boat had sunk around 11:30am on Thursday.

The boat was of course originally in good shape. Dan even knew the original owner, who was still at the marina in Tacoma. It had received maintenance, including replaced outdrives. However, the previous owners—three men from the Navy—had not taken care of it as they should have. In good condition, the boat would be worth about $50,000, though Dan purchased it for significantly less. Now, he faces the daunting task of assessing the damage caused by the incidents and its prolonged exposure to the elements.

The plan to address the boat's state was to pump it out with the aid of two pumps. Afterward, they planned to wait for the tide around 11pm Friday night  to rise sufficiently to lift the boat, allowing them to get it onto a trailer and out of the water. Dan believes much of this ordeal could have been avoided with better communication among all parties involved, reflecting on how the "decks were just stacked against us". His struggle continues as he works to recover and repair his vessel.