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City Commission Agrees To Keep Its Sponge Boat Afloat
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Published: July 19, 2008
TARPON SPRINGS - The city's one-time working sponge boat, that has provided a photo opportunity for thousands of visitors over the years, needs an infusion of capital to keep it afloat.
City commissioners recently decided to investigate how the boat, that was allowed to become worn and weathered, can be repaired.
In its grandeur days, it had a working engine and sponges spread across its nets. Its wooden planks are now cracked, paint pealing and joints rusted.
The boat has not sailed out to sea for years.
Made of wood it has aged and deteriorated substantially over time, said Juan Cruz, public services director, who recently inherited the boat into his division.
The city recently had about $2,800 worth of repairs made to the boat just to keep it afloat, he said. Its bow, beneath the water line, was cleaned, scraped, repainted and sealed.
Improvements were also made to the boat rudder.
Cruz said the cost of fixing rails, booms, anchor posts, cleats, guide cables, turnbuckles and other items is about $34,150.
It could cost another $10,000 to replace the bow beam and planking.
If the boat is always going to be a showpiece, and never sail, it will not need an engine and transmission overall estimated to cost $60,000.
Mayor Beverley Billiris said she thinks cost estimates to repair the boat seem high, perhaps because marine repair firms wanted to take advantage of the fact that the city was paying for it.
She said some repairs can likely be done in-house or by hired crews.
Kathy Monahan, city cultural director and grant writer, said she recently found Tarpon Springs' Sponge Boats are one-of-a-kind in the western hemisphere,
It could qualify for certification as a national landmark and federal grants under the Save America's Treasure's Program.
Commissioners asked Interim City Manager Mark LeCouris to look into what it will take to make improvements to the boat, without repairing the motor, since it never leaves the dock.
They also asked Monahan to apply for grants to fund improvements.
Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com
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