Owner of sunken vessel fined for diesel spill near Brinnon

Published 8:22 am Friday, August 14, 2015

By Peninsula Daily News

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BRINNON — The state Department of Ecology has fined the owner of the vessel Avalon $16,244 after it sank and spilled diesel near Brinnon.

The department says Randall Schleich was attempting to tow the 65-foot vessel on Sept. 14, 2014 when it ran aground on a sand spit near Pleasant Harbor Marina on Hood Canal.

The vessel was hit with crashing waves and sank, spilling 75 gallons of diesel.

The fine includes a $5,000 penalty and $11,244 to cover the costs to clean up the spill.

The Department of Natural Resources is seeking an additional $123,000 from Schleich to cover the costs of raising the vessel and towing it to Port Townsend where it was removed from the water and dismantled.