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Tarpon Sponge Boat Will Remain A Photo Opportunity
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Published: November 28, 2008
Updated:
TARPON SPRINGS - The city's sponge boat will remain one of the city's signature photo opportunities.
A few months ago, city officials feared the boat, which is more than 75 years old, was in such a deteriorated condition it might have to be placed in dry dock for repairs.
The boat, named Tarpon Springs, is on display in the Anclote River along Dodecanese Boulevard, at the Sponge Docks. A statue of a sponge diver stands nearby on the dock.
Interim City Manager Mark LeCouris said this week the good news is subsequent inspections found the boat is not in imminent danger of sinking and does not have to be removed from the water.
The sponge boat is floatable and can remain in the water but is not seaworthy, LeCouris said.
On Tuesday, Commissioner Chris Alahouzos said he did not know why the boat was allowed to deteriorate over the years, but he knows the city cannot lose one of its most photographed tourist attractions at the Sponge Docks.
The city acquired the Tarpon Springs using a state Florida Historic Preservation Grant, so it has to be preserved as a state treasure, Alahouzos said.
An earlier report compiled by the city Public Services Department estimated the cost to completely restore the boat and make it operational, if engine and transmission work is included, at $150,000.
Repair work on the boat completed earlier this year put the boat to be in good enough shape to remain in the water, according to LeCouris.
Improvements included cleaning the hull below the water line, including scraping barnacles, sandblasting the bottom, repairing and sealing damaged areas and performing maintenance on the rudder.
City crews will make further repairs to the vessel in an effort to make it look more presentable. Sponges could once again be placed atop its deck to make it more picturesque.
LeCouris said he is planning to wait until after the New Year to determine if the city has funds to make more extensive repairs if needed.
The city could apply for restoration grants but in this economic climate state and federal government may not have much money to dole out, he added.
Alahouzos said merchants along the Sponge Docks realize the Tarpon Springs is an important tourist attraction.
Michael Koutouzis, owner of Lori's Soap and Sponge Market, on Dodecanese Boulevard, thought it important enough to donate about $2,000 to the city to help preserve the vessel, which once sailed the high seas in search of sponges.
Other Sponge merchants have pledged to donate sponges to adorn the vessel, he added.
Mayor Beverley Billiris said the city manager and staff are working on a project to determine how the boat can be restored at the lowest cost, using staff and volunteer repair crews.
Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.
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