Roaming boat due to be moved

The fiberglass catamaran that has been meandering across local waterways and hit the railroad bridge in Berwick Bay Saturday is supposed to be removed from where it is resting against the bridge, according to St. Mary Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security Director Duval Arthur.
This morning, the boat was resting against the railroad bridge in Berwick Bay just east of the middle of the bay, Arthur said.
As the boat drifted for more than a week, no agency seemed willing to take responsibility for the boat.
“There’s too many people that don’t want to do their job,” Arthur said. “If I’m going to get criticized, I’d rather get criticized for not getting permission than get sued for not doing my job.”
The boat is set to be removed from the river, but not with the help of any governmental organizations, Arthur said.
“I’m just glad that it’s being moved,” Arthur said.
The Daily Review could not confirm a time of when the boat was scheduled to be removed. This morning, Smith Maritime General Manager Donnie Matusiak would not confirm whether the company is planning to move the boat. Earlier this week, Matusiak said the company had planned to move the boat.
The boat does not have any lights and is a hazard, Arthur said.
“If somebody runs into it, they’re going to be dead,” Arthur said.
Area agencies do not want to touch the vessel for fear of a lawsuit, he said.
If any barge was sitting in a similar position, the Coast Guard would fine the owner, Arthur said.
Coast Guard Capt. David McClellan, commanding officer of the Morgan City Marine Safety Unit, said he has been working to get in touch with the boat’s owner.

This story was written by Zachary Fitzgerald of the Daily Review staff. Reach him at zfitzgerald@daily-review.com.