The removal of a grounded fishing boat that ran ashore early Monday morning on San Francisco’s Ocean Beach is expected to be completed this afternoon.
The Paloma, a 37-foot fishing boat, ran aground near Seal Rock around 3:30 a.m., according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The boat was operated by Timothy Lybrand, 51, of Santa Cruz, who abandoned the boat and remains missing after a search for him in the area was suspended Monday afternoon. No one else was onboard, according to the Coast Guard.
According to Santa Clara County sheriff’s officials, Lybrand is wanted on a $75,000 warrant from May 2012 for a 2010 drug possession arrest for which he failed to appear in court.
The boat had two fuel tanks carrying 35 gallons of diesel fuel that were safely removed Wednesday.
The National Park Service took over removal operations from the U.S. Coast Guard after the boat was pulled closer to shore.
The last remains of the boat were expected to be pulled from the water by the end of this afternoon and the removal area to reopen shortly thereafter.
Beachgoers are advised to watch for small debris that may continue to wash up or remain after the cleanup of the fishing boat, which was carrying a lot of equipment.
Sasha Lekach, Bay City News
