Mysterious boat moves across river to Berwick

By ZACHARY FITZGERALD
zfitzgerald@daily-review.com
MORGAN CITY — An abandoned fiberglass catamaran that came to rest Monday night next to a barge on Front Street in Morgan City unexplainably was moved across the Atchafalaya River to Berwick, according to sources.
Leonard Price, of Morgan City, said he does not what happened to move the boat, but he knows it happened during the night. Price goes to check the property where the boat was resting two to three times daily, he said.
On Thursday, Price said a 120-by-45-foot fiberglass catamaran broke free Monday night from where it had been resting for seven years in the Atchafalaya River. Price said the boat belongs to George Moench, who now lives in Ecuador. Moench abandoned the boat about seven years ago on private property, which Price now owns, at the north end of Front Street in Morgan City on the Atchafalaya River, Price said.
“We were out there yesterday evening about 5 (p.m.), and it was still where it was. So somebody did it during the night,” Price said. The boat is now across the river from Conrad Industries on the Berwick side, Price said.
Price believes someone brought the boat across the river during night, he said. “I’m just glad somebody got it out of Lange’s (Towing) way and let him go back to work,” Price said.
This morning, Coast Guard Capt. David McClellan, commanding officer of the Morgan City Marine Safety Unit, said he does not how the boat got across the river, but said he heard the boat went almost straight across the river, which “seems suspicious,” he said. McClellan had to consult with his waterway staff as to what action the Coast Guard could take if the vessel moved again. On Thursday, McClellan said the vessel was about 60 feet long.
This morning, McClellan said the Coast Guard is limited what it can do in these types of situations. When making such a decision, Coast Guard officials must determine whether they have the funding and where they could possibly move the vessel, he said.
“The Coast Guard is not likely, almost zero percent chance, the Coast Guard’s going to take this vessel anywhere,” McClellan said.
If a vessel or object presents a hazard to navigation, the Coast Guard normally contacts the U.S. Army of Corps Engineers, usually in regard to sunken vessels, McClellan said.
“It’s not usually these derelict vessels. There’s literally thousands, probably hundreds of thousands, of derelict vessels across the United States. It’s a problem in every state I’ve been to,” McClellan said. “There’s no funding to take care of these things.”
Morgan City Mayor Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi said officials do not know who moved the boat, he said. Grizzaffi believes someone moved the boat but does not know who may have moved the vessel, he said.
Berwick Mayor Louis Ratcliff said he assumes the tide and wind probably moved the vessel, especially because the boat was not tied up, he said. As the winds and tides change, the boat will probably move all over the place until someone secures it, Ratcliff said.
In statement emailed to The Daily Review, Grizzaffi said, referring to Thursday’s article on the abandoned vessel, that the article “details a side of a story that is not consistent with actual facts. In the article, it stated that no one lifted a finger. I respectfully disagree.”
Grizzaffi said, “The City of Morgan City has an excellent working relationship with all local and federal agencies.” In this case, Grizzaffi was called on his personal phone Tuesday morning concerning an abandoned vessel drifting down river, he said.
Grizzaffi was able to call McClellan immediately and discuss the situation, he said. The Coast Guard “clearly explained their position and responsibility and began monitoring the vessel, while continuing to establish their role.”
Grizzaffi contacted to the Port of Morgan City Executive Director Raymond “Mac” Wade, about the possibility of getting the port’s help, he said. “He (Wade) was more than willing to seek advice,” Grizzaffi said.
Grizzaffi also contacted St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Lonnie LaBouve. “Chief Deputy LaBouve was willing to join in the effort to remedy the situation,” Grizzaffi said.
The mayor contacted Price, Price’s attorney, and the adjacent property owner, and Grizzaffi was able to pass word to the owner of the vessel via a mediator, he said.
Grizzaffi thanked Lange Towing representatives for the patience they showed “as the drifting boat ended up interfering with their day to day operations.” Grizzaffi contacted Lange officials “and all information was forwarded to them until the barge was no longer a detriment their business,” he said.