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The historic ferry Kalakala at a private dock in Tacoma. Its owner says he has a buyer for the leaking and listing boat. The Coast Guard gave owner, Steve Rodrigues, until today to move the rusting vessel. The selling price was $1.

UPDATE: 2:40 p.m. The historic ferry Kalakala may move to New York… or maybe Seattle… or who knows where.

Steve Rodrigues says he has sold the old boat for $1 to an anonymous buyer and the listing vessel, now tied up to a dock in Tacoma, may be moved to New York.

On the Kalakala website this morning,  Rodrigues posted a one-line  message:

After considering offers from two interested parties, the Kalakala has been sold for $1 to an anonymous buyer. The Kalakala will be saved from the scrap yard and restored to her full glory.

The Coast Guard gave Rodrigues a deadline to move the ferry this month because it was being evicted from its present location on Tacoma’s Hylebos Waterway.

But Rodrigues said Monday he’s been given an extension until June 18 next year.

Rodrigues would not identify the new owner, but said he was from out of state. “He’ll keep her safe and move her to her next destination.”

He said he was “honored for my accomplishments” and the new owner told him he could choose where the Kalakala will eventually end up.

His first choice is Seattle’s Pier 48 by the Washington Street Boat Landing. “This is an icon. It belongs in Seattle,” Rodrigues said.

But financially, the best spot might be in New York on the Hudson River, that’s where the Kalakala’s potential revenue will best pencil out, he said.

He said he absolutely does not want the boat in Lake Union.

The Kalakala has been parked in the Tacoma waterway for the past six years, but the Coast Guard said the boat is listing and is in danger of capsizing and Rodrigues must make improvements to the hull and have a tow plan in place.

Original post:

The aging, listing and rusting Kalakala ferry boat has sold for $1, its owner Steve Rodrigues says on his website.

Rodrigues posted a one-line  message:

After considering offers from two interested parties, the Kalakala has been sold for $1 to an anonymous buyer. The Kalakala will be saved from the scrap yard and restored to her full glory.

The announcement came the day of the Coast Guard deadline where Rodrigues is to let the Coast Guard know where he plans to tow the boat. It’s been evicted from Tacoma’s Hylebos Waterway and must move by the end of the year.

The Kalakala has been parked in the waterway for the past six years, but the Coast Guard said the boat is listing and is in danger of capsizing and Rodrigues must make improvements to the hull and have a tow plan in place.

The News Tribune wrote this about the historic boat earlier this year: Dreams for Art Deco ferryboat Kalakala sinking