Mitchell again pleads for Enchantress

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Local artist and historian Bill Mitchell made his case to the Port of Anacortes Commissioners to save the derelict tug Enchantress again last night. The tug is sitting on the bottom of Fidalgo Bay in just a few feet of water.

2008-0606_enchantress.jpg

Local artist and historian Bill Mitchell made his case to the Port of Anacortes Commissioners to save the derelict tug Enchantress again last night. The tug is sitting on the bottom of Fidalgo Bay in just a few feet of water.

Mitchell gave a slide presentation to the Port Commissioners in his plea to just leave the tug where it's sitting. Mitchell gave a pictorial history of tugs operating in Anacortes' waters and told more about the Enchantress.

Mitchell suggested Anacortes could gain from staging tugboat races here, noting the number of tug boats in Puget Sound.

The state Department of Ecology says the tug is leaking toxic materials into the bay and is a hazard to navigation. Ecology has declared they intend to remove and destroy the tug unless Mitchell comes up with a plan to move her, store her and the money to do so.

In February, Ecology gave Mitchell six months to develop a plan. But, Mitchell has, instead, been focusing on leaving the tug where it stands.

Three other people spoke in support of Mitchell at last night's Commissioner's meeting.

Bunny Heiner said she favors cleaning up Puget Sound, but would like to see the tug stay where it is "until it just dies." She says it's a beautiful addition to the Anacortes community.

Michael Glost, who identified himself as a shipwright, said he's never seen a better crafted vessel. "The workmanship is impeccable." And, he said "It would be a disservice to munch it up."

Dutcher Sterling called Enchantress a picturesque addition to the waterfront and suggested leaving it as the last piece of the Fidalgo Bay cleanup effort.