Earlier this month, the Seattle Police Department’s Harbor Patrol Unit (HPU) towed away a derelict, fuel-leaking boat from Lake Union following a multi-agency response effort beginning in October.
SPD, along with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Washington Department of Ecology (WDE), Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Community Assistance Response & Engagement (CARE) team all helped safely manage and remove the troubled vessel and its occupants.
On October 12, a 70-foot-long concrete-hull boat, the Genesis IV, showed up in Lake Union on the “West Wall” which is typically used for a two-hour mooring.
HPU started getting complaints from business owners and community members, including comments on Reddit and other social media platforms with people wondering about actions being taken regarding the unworthy vessel.
On October 15, officers issued the Genesis IV occupants a 72-hour warning notice to move. The following day, they tried to move the vessel with a small boat, yet HPU instructed them not to tow it, as their small boat was incapable of safely moving it. Two days later, the occupants purchased a temporary mooring permit from the Center of Wooden Boats, and they claimed that despite mechanical issues, they could move the boat.
HPU worked with the DNR and SPD’s Legal Unit and got permission to remove the boat. SPD typically impound vessels to the harbor station, yet due to the concrete hull’s likelihood of causing damage to the wooden pier, this was not an option. SPD’s Legal Unit worked with the Fisherman’s Terminal to find a solution for the derelict watercraft.
Between mid-October and early December, HPU made nearly daily checks. During that time, the occupants failed to maintain a current moorage permit and were incapable of towing the boat. HPU issued multiple citations for their failure of moorage compliance, and having no vessel registration.
On November 11, SPD served the occupants of the Genesis IV with a DNR 15-Day Derelict Boat Seizure notice. The following day, CARE checked on the occupants and discussed available resources.
Police gave the occupants multiple opportunities to leave on their own and offered continued resources through CARE, who went out to the vessel multiple times. They provided food, hygiene, and medical supplies to those on board, and offered them assistance with obtaining shelter.
Between November 25-29, a fuel leakage of about 5-10 gallons was reported around the vessel and HPU notified the EPA. Soft and hard booms were placed around the area with the help of WDE to prevent further issues. Police issued a citation for the large spill.
Seattle police continued daily checks on the vessel and reminded the occupants of the impending seizure.
On December 5, HPU seized the boat under the DNR’s Derelict Boat Program, a seven-hour operation. Once officers confiscated the boat, Community Service Officers arrived to help the occupants.
Ultimately, the fuel spill remediation cost about $5000. The vessel impound fee is $1,660 per month, and it will likely be impounded for two months. The disposal costs are about $98,000. In total, the estimated costs of the Genesis IV will be about $105,000.
“The Harbor Patrol Unit would like to thank all of our partners who assisted with this process, and the community for their patience while we worked through it. We understand the vessel caused a lot of issues and its safe and proper removal was a priority for us. We are grateful for their understanding.” -Lieutenant Matt Didier, SPD
Incident Number: 2025-298711
The Seattle Police Department’s Harbor Patrol Unit tows away a derelict vessel leaking fuel in Lake Union.
