UPDATE: Abandoned Trawler in Franks Tract

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Flutterby

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Phil of Vessel Assist can probably provide info here. There is a trawler anchored out in the middle of Franks Tract. It looks like it is near "Snag Island", but I wasn't out there to verify this. It has been there for about six weeks and is moved occasionally. It has no lights on at night. So keep a heads up if you cross Franks after dark!

My friend who lives on BI says as of earlier this week, the trawler has been removed......put I think that old houseboat is still floating out there!
 
It does have a blinking amber light on it, or at least it does at times. It is only a matter of time before the thing sinks out there. The county "can't" touch it as Franks Tract is a State Park.
 
I sometimes wonder why we as boaters of the Delta can't take vigilante action on something like this and tow it somewhere where the damage will be minimized when it sinks. That trawler might make a nice reef outside the GG somewhere ;-)
 
You would have to do it under cover of night/fog and absolutely [pun intended!] no one know who towed it away, etc. Otherwise, anyone involved would be open to liability.
 
"I sometimes wonder why we as boaters of the Delta can't take vigilante action on something like this and tow it somewhere where the damage will be minimized when it sinks."

That would be Mayberry. At least they will all be in one place instead of all over the place.
 
Oh, come on. You won't mind another friendly neighborhood squatter added to the mix, would you?

It seems like there are several squatter communities sprouting up. Just south of Zuckerman Bridge there is a small derelict sailboat anchored out with someone living on it. More recently a houseboat parked next to it and then another one parked next to it but apparently sank. So right now half of it is up on the levee and the other half is under water.
 
Contra Costa County has red tagged all the derelict boats in the county, so those who are living aboard are forced to move---either out of the boat or move the boat out of the county. So neighboring counties are inheriting these eyesores. San Joaquin is in the process of creating their own law to get rid of them. Sacramento seems to be asleep at the wheel, at least I haven't heard any rumblings yet. Stay tuned.
 
They don't really bother me as long as they don't mess with my boat. Squatters in general seem to be more reclusive and just want to be left alone. But I'm sure there are exceptions.
 
Yes, they like to be left to their favorite recipes.......watch out for things going boom in the middle of the night!
 
The boat is not actually abandon. There is a guy that will claim it. He is the one that is currently making sure it does not sink. That job will get old though.
 
Another project boat, huh? There is a steel-hulled sailboat near The Rusty Porthole like that, too.
 
If someone will forward the location of derelict boats, other than Contra Costa County, I will see if my background might be helpful in creating a police response.

email: bill.gillespierb2@gr5tsbcglobal.net

Bill
 
The gremlins are busy perverting my e-mail adress. Remove b2rb2 from my name and everything that preceeds sbcglobal.
 
I believe Les Hall is the gremlin. Whenever one types the "at" symbol, the rb2rb2@gr5tgr5t letter string replaces it. Somehow that helps him control spam I hear. I don't know enough 'bout that stuff to be able to explain it. Folks can correct me if I'm wrong, but that is my understanding.

Bill, you have email........
 
Thank you. I have been trying to figure that out for a month!!!
 
It got mentioned in NBR at some point as an "aside" to the real topic......
 
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