A Malibu Mystery, Washed in by the Tide

[Liberal_in_LA]

A Malibu Mystery, Washed in by the Tide



One morning at the end of December, a man sailing from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles is believed to have fallen asleep at the helm of the boat, which washed ashore just before sunrise. Both the sailor, whose name has not been publicly released, and his two cats survived without serious injuries.

The 37-foot-sailboat is another matter. It just sits there, on its side, a few feet from tide pools filled with bright purple and orange starfish.

The mast is gone, and for the past five months the wind and rain have weathered the deck beyond recognition. Whatever sheen there was has been replaced with graffiti.

An official with the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors had not heard about the forlorn sailboat until a reporter called to inquire.

Removing it would cost at least $10,000, said Debbie Talbot, a spokeswoman for the county. A crew would have to crush it or drag it out to sea before pulling into a less remote harbor, she said.

“They’d have to talk with the owner, get his permission, talk to the insurance company, use a tractor or something,” Ms. Talbot said. “It’s not a simple matter.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/us/03shipwreck.html?ref=us

[KittyWampus]

1. An attractive nuisance. Kids playing on it.... there are bound to be rusty nails sticking out.

Need I say more.

The millionaires may enjoy seeing it. But when some one of their kid ends up needing a tetanus shot etc., someone will be sued.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. Are you kidding?

What a wonderful playground.

By the time there would be any rusty nails sticking out, the boat would be too deteriorated to be attractive to the kids. In the meantime, let the kids play.

Do you also object to skateboarding and climbing trees? That can be dangerous, too, you know.

It's a short term thing, anyway. Come the winter storms on the beach and it will just go away.

[southernyankeebelle]

2. Why don't they just burn it.

[tularetom]

11. Or blow it up

No a good idea for a dead whale however
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFwxH3PPWiU

[MissB]

4. They should blow it up. Like the whale.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZhn28_Z9wc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Occulus]

8. OMG I had forgotten all about that

:rofl:

[tabasco]

5. “It’s not a simple matter.” Typical bureaucrat.

I hate do-nothing bureaucrats who are afraid to do a goddamn thing.

[Luminous Animal]

6. Given that it doesn't belong to the government, they are no doubt trying to avoid

a stupid lawsuit.

[kestrel91316]

7. If they do ANYTHING without every fricking I dotted and T crossed, and

even with, they are likely to be sued nine ways from Sunday if they touch the boat. Of course, they are also guaranteed to be sued if they don't.

This is Los Angeles. Large numbers of people file frivolous lawsuits merely because the courts exist. You ought to try living here and breathing without being sued.

[Marie Marie]

9. "A three hour tour.."

[tabasco]

10. Oh excellent!

LOL!

[taterguy]

12. Stupid Californians need to learn from the East Coast how to deal with ship wrecks

Boat washes ashore in North Carolina: Every damn piece of wood on it becomes part of someone's house.

Hell, all the early homes on the Outer Banks were built that way.

Nags Head got its name because locals would put a lantern on a horse and walk it up the beach at night, so that sailors would mistake it for another ship, come in too close and provide everyone with free lumber.