Derelict tugboat causing environmental concerns in Kingston
Nov 15, 2025, 5:00 AM
Members of the Kingston community are concerned about a 64-foot tugboat anchored in Appletree Cove since last week.
The tug, named Mollusk, started losing power and sinking near the Kingston Marina. It was intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard and towed to the cove, where it is anchored.
About 1,500 gallons of a diesel-water mixture have been removed, Jasmin Adams, acting communications manager for the Washington Department of Ecology’s spills program, explained.
“It is sitting a little bit low in the water,” she said. “But at this time, it does not look like it’s in danger of tipping over or anything like that.”
She said crews are using a solar-powered bilge pump, so they do not expect the boat to list any more than it already is. They also do not expect any leaks.
“Sometimes it’s safer to leave the boat in place rather than move it and have more oil and gasoline escape into the environment,” she said.
Tugboat raises community concerns about environmental hazards
Tania Issa, who owns the Sheepish Pig Farm on Jefferson Point Road, said the derelict boat near her property has raised community concerns about potential environmental hazards and impacts on tribal and recreational fishing.
“DNR talks about taking care of things so it doesn’t become someone else’s problem. Well, it is someone’s problem,” Issa said. “It’s right in front of our farm, and it’s definitely the problem for all the fishermen that fish along these shores, as well as the recreational fishermen.”
“It may not have a direct impact on our farm, per se, but it certainly would on the beach, and all the people that live up and down the beach here that walk their dogs and enjoy that,” she continued.
Gene Smith of Down to Earth Landscaping, who works for Issa, believes the boat “is gonna go down.”
“The hull is shot in this boat,” he said. “We need help in Kingston, Washington. Appletree Cove is gonna be contaminated.”
Issa said she was told earlier that there was no budget to remove the vessel for the remainder of the year.
“We do still have money in our budget for removals, and especially for emergency removals,” Joe Smiley, deputy communications director for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, said.
Smiley noted crews from the Coast Guard and Ecology have been working to contain any oil leaking from the vessel.
“There was a slight sheen off it, and so they went out, I think, yesterday to look at it, and we’re going to give the owner a chance to recover it, if possible. If he needs our help, we’ll be there,” he said.
It’s not clear how long it will take to actually get the boat removed.
“That can take a little while,” he said. “(But) we won’t let it sit there too long if it’s damaging habitat.”
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
