Motor yacht drifting in Liberty Bay, may be at risk of beaching

A 105-foot motor yacht was drifting in Liberty Bay early Dec. 9, and by 11:45 a.m. was parallel to the Sons of Norway Lodge and was in danger of drifting into the shore.

POULSBO — A 105-foot motor yacht was drifting in Liberty Bay early Dec. 9, and by 11:45 a.m. was parallel to the Sons of Norway Lodge and was in danger of drifting into the shore.

The motor yacht Queen of Sheba was believed to be dragging anchor, sources reported. Earlier in the morning, a smaller cabin cruiser was tied up to the motor yacht, reportedly trying to help it set anchor. Strong winds continued to push the Queen of Sheba across Liberty Bay, where it collided with a sailboat and knocked the sailboat off anchor.

Poulsbo Port Manager Brad Miller contacted Poulsbo Police and the Coast Guard. The port is not responsible for securing boats drifting in Liberty Bay. However, if there is a fuel spill, the port will assist at the request of law enforcement, Miller said.

Poulsbo Police Chief Al Townsend said the department had received calls about three boats adrift. So far, the boats have been monitored from shore, “but if it appears they will create property damage to other boats or objects, we will send out the police boat to try to re-anchor them or try to tow them into a port slip,” he emailed the Herald.

At the scene, Herald reporter Richard D. Oxley said authorities told him the port called the local fire and police departments, who reportedly advised that they are not equipped to handle such an emergency.

“The Queen of Sheba is blowing north and may collide with the shoreline,” Oxley reported.

He said the motor yacht was drifting past the Sons of Norway at 11:45 a.m. He said he could see one person with a yellow jacket onboard.

More information will be reported as it becomes available.

The Queen of Sheba was built in 1943, primarily of oak and fir, in Stockton, California, by Stephens Marine, according to an info page on CharterWorld.com. The yacht is not a charter boat. The Queen of Sheba “can sleep up to 10 passengers on board and has around 5 professional crew,” the info page stated.

 

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