Milwaukee's abandoned boat could be gone by the end of today thanks to an anonymous donor
An anonymous donor has stepped up to pay for at least part of the removal of Deep Thought, the abandoned boat that's been stuck near Milwaukee's Bradford Beach for more than six months, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said on Wednesday morning.
Jerry Guyer, owner of local salvage company Jerry's Silo Marina, estimated the boat's removal will cost at least $25,000. Guyer's team began working to remove the boat around 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Guyer said the boat could be removed by the end of the day if the weather cooperates. Otherwise, he said his team will be back on Thursday morning.
Johnson did not reveal much information about the donor but said they approached him a few weeks ago because they wanted to see "Milwaukee be the best city that it could possibly be." Although the boat is technically on Milwaukee County property, Johnson said it was important that the city collaborate given its location in the city.
"It just has become an eyesore," the mayor said. "It's become ... a spot where danger could occur. There has been vandalism on the boat. Part of it has been broken off, glass is broken. Not to mention the environmental challenges."
Johnson did not reveal how much money the donor provided but said he is "very grateful." The goal is for city and county taxpayers not to be impacted by the cost of Deep Thought's removal, Johnson said, and the donor's gift should make that possible.
Guyer said costs have already hit the estimated $25,000 as of Wednesday. Guyer's team has been working to remove the boat since it was first stranded in October. He estimated they've put in around 100 hours trying to move it. He cited the boat's proximity to the shoreline as a major reason why it's been so difficult to remove. Because the boat is likely full of water and sand, its weight now exceeds the capacity of most cranes, Guyer said.
His team hopes to have the boat removed by 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Now somewhat of a Milwaukee icon with its own entry on Google Maps, Deep Thought became stranded on Oct. 13, 2024, when its owners, Richard and Sherry Wells of Mississippi, ran out of gas. The couple bought the boat in Manitowoc and intended to stay at McKinley Marina for two nights before navigating home.
However, Richard said inadequate directions caused him to miss the entrance to the marina and the boat to get stuck.
In October, U.S. Coast Guard officials said they wouldn't immediately try to remove the boat because no lives were in danger and the vessel didn't pose a risk of pollution or floating away. Officials said it would be the boat's owners' responsibility to pay a commercial towing and salvage company to remove it.
As the months passed, Deep Thought became lodged deeper in the sand between McKinley Marina and Bradford Beach, becoming encased in ice sheets over the winter. Now, its exterior and interior are covered in graffiti, and most of its electronics have been picked over or destroyed.
Guyer has been trying to assist with the boat's removal since the fall. However, strong winds and eventually winter weather repeatedly delayed the process. The Wells had been communicating with Guyer, but after several initial conversations, communication has gone "radio silent," Guyer said previously.
In late March, Guyer called for Johnson to get involved in moving the boat. A spokesman for Johnson said the city was open to discussions but "not in position to provide city, taxpayer-funded resources."
The next day, Milwaukee County Supervisor Shawn Rolland instructed leaders in the county parks department to outline "clear next steps" and asked county attorneys to determine if federal, state, county or city government is responsible for removing the 40-year-old Chris-Craft Roamer from the lakeshore.
As of last week, some of the boat had been removed, including its hard top and cockpit.
More: Abandoned boat on Lake Michigan picked apart, covered in graffiti
More: All of our reporting on Deep Thought, the abandoned boat along Lake Michigan in Milwaukee
This story will be updated.
Journal Sentinel reporter Jessica Van Egeren contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Anonymous donor pays for removal of abandoned Milwaukee boat
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