A new 125-foot Westport LLC yacht is wedged against a boat at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning after accelerating for unknown reasons. (Paul Gottlieb/Peninsula Daily News)

A new 125-foot Westport LLC yacht is wedged against a boat at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning after accelerating for unknown reasons. (Paul Gottlieb/Peninsula Daily News)

VIDEO & PHOTOS: Yacht slams dock, damages vessels at Port Angeles Boat Haven

Official: Cause remains unknown

PORT ANGELES — A brand new 260-ton Westport LLC yacht lost control Monday morning and motored about 300 feet away from a fuel dock before the bow crashed on top of a dock at the Port Angeles Boat Haven.

There were no injuries, and a cause had not been determined as of late Monday afternoon.

The 125-foot yacht was owned by Westport and was getting set to travel Thursday to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for delivery to its new owner, said John Nutter, Port director of properties, marinas and airports.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“It was tied up at the fuel dock and all of a sudden took off, charging forward,” Nutter said.

“It accelerated forward for unknown reasons.”

A man looks over a damaged boat after a Westport yacht smashed through docks at the Port Angeles Boat Haven Monday morning. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

A man looks over a damaged boat after a Westport yacht smashed through docks at the Port Angeles Boat Haven Monday morning. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

At least seven vessels, including the yacht, were damaged, said Brian King, Clallam County chief criminal deputy.

The research vessel Kuapio Kohola was extensively damaged.

The crash is being investigated by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Unit, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Unit and the Port Angeles Police Department.

“It possibly had something to do with the onboard electronics,” King said of the undetermined cause. “We don’t know if it was a software malfunction or electrical failure, something to that effect.”

It was moored and ready to receive fuel, but the fueling process had not begun, King said.

The six-person crew was made up of all Westport employees, including Capt. Steve Peckham, the Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.

A Westport yacht smashed into docks at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning, damaging several boats. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

A Westport yacht smashed into docks at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning, damaging several boats. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

The vessel left the dock shortly after 8:15 a.m. Monday, King said.

It landed with its bow atop the Boat Haven’s G/H dock, Nutter said.

Westport “will be covering all damages,” he said.

“A marine surveyor is coming to town later this week.”

Westport General Manager David Hagiwara did not return calls for comment Monday about the crash.

The vessel has a gross registered tonnage of 260 tons, according to Westport’s website at tinyurl.com/PDN-Westport125.

A new 125-foot Westport LLC yacht is wedged against a boat at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning after accelerating for unknown reasons. (Paul Gottlieb/Peninsula Daily News)

A new 125-foot Westport LLC yacht is wedged against a boat at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning after accelerating for unknown reasons. (Paul Gottlieb/Peninsula Daily News)

The value of a newer Westport 125 appears to be between about $24 million and $25 million.

A 2020 Westport 125 is for sale in Washington state for $24 million, said Jerry Wheeler, a salesperson for the yacht brokerage firm Alexander Marine USA in Newport Beach, Calif.

A 2018 Westport 125 is for sale for $25 million, according to Wheeler.

“It’s not a tip-toe, secret kind of thing,” Wheeler said.

Nutter said port and county officials and Port Angeles business leaders toured the boat about two months ago after it was built.

The Westport 125 is “beyond beautiful,” Nutter said.

________

Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.

A Westport yacht smashed into docks at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning, damaging several boats. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

A Westport yacht smashed into docks at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning, damaging several boats. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

VIDEO & PHOTOS: Yacht slams dock, damages vessels at Port Angeles Boat Haven
VIDEO & PHOTOS: Yacht slams dock, damages vessels at Port Angeles Boat Haven
Officials from Westport look over damage after a Westport yacht smashed into docks at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Officials from Westport look over damage after a Westport yacht smashed into docks at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Officials from Westport look over damage after a Westport yacht smashed into docks at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Officials from Westport look over damage after a Westport yacht smashed into docks at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

John Nutter, Port of Port Angeles director of property, marinas and airports, takes a call while at the scene where a Westport yacht smashed into docks at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning, damaging several boats. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

John Nutter, Port of Port Angeles director of property, marinas and airports, takes a call while at the scene where a Westport yacht smashed into docks at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning, damaging several boats. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

A Westport yacht smashed into docks at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning, damaging several boats. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

A Westport yacht smashed into docks at the Port Angeles Boat Haven on Monday morning, damaging several boats. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

More in News

Jefferson sets short-term rental rules

County establishes 4 percent cap, one rental per operator

When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
Former deputy’s ashes to be sent into space

Widow of John Strachan to fulfill his dream

Port OKs Citizen Air lease

Company purchasing Rite Bros. Aviation

Rebates offered for e-bikes through April 23

The state Department of Transportation will accept applications for e-bike… Continue reading

Jefferson County Public Health names heroes

Jefferson County Public Health has announced its 2025 Public… Continue reading

Man transported to hospital after log truck goes into ditch

A log truck driver was transported to Forks Community Hospital… Continue reading

Heath Wade, 5, leads the goat parade to open the 37th annual Port Townsend Farmers Market on Saturday in the uptown neighborhood. Behind are goat wranglers Lindsey Kotzebue and Amber Langley of Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Market opens

Heath Wade, 5, leads the goat parade to open the 37th annual… Continue reading

Kelly Kidwell, a local business owner and property developer, is purchasing Rite Bros. with the intention of building a long-term sustainable business that will expand aviation access in the area. Citizen Air, based at William R. Fairchild International Airport, will offer charter flights and fractional aircraft ownership. The possibility of scheduled flights could be in the distant future. Kidwell is shown with his Poodle-Bernese mountain dog, Porter. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Citizen Air aims to expand access

New Rite Bros. owner planning for growth

Health officer: Disease numbers low, but cuts affecting programs

Additional measles case located in Washington state

Customers check out at The Pine and Eight, a local goods-only grocery store co-owned by SisterLand Farms and Northwest Beach Work. This store, which recently opened at 511 W. Eighth St. in Port Angeles, is an experiment testing out the viability of a farmer- and artisan-owned store selling Washington-only products. (Eli Smith)
Farmer-focused grocery store opens in Port Angeles

Business prioritizing local products, relationships

Garage destroyed in Lower Elwha structure fire

A weekend structure fire resulted in the total loss… Continue reading

Ground-breaking ceremony for new school set Saturday

The Port Angeles School District will break ground for… Continue reading