Title
Sandman Tugboat Removal from Olympia Heritage Register- Public Hearing
Recommended Action
Move to approve the request to remove the Sandman Tugboat from the Olympia Heritage Register
Report
Issue:
Whether to conduct a public hearing and recommend approval of the request to have the Sandman Tugboat removed from the Olympia Heritage Register
Staff Contact:
Brittany Gillia, Historic Preservation Officer, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8427
Presenter(s):
Aaron LaPointe, Executive Director, Historic Maritime Foundation
Background and Analysis:
The Sandman Tugboat is a local maritime heritage resource that is listed on the Olympia Heritage Register, Washington State Heritage Register and National Register of Historic Places. The vessel was constructed in 1910 and was first used to tow scows between Olympia and Steilacoom. In 1925, the vessel was sold to Delta Smyth, a local lumberman and the tug began to maneuver fuel oil scows, log booms and lumber tows.
The tug has always operated on the Olympia waterfront and has been host tugboat for Harbor Days in Olympia since the event began in 1975. The Sandman was nominated and listed on the Olympia Heritage Register in 1990 based on the cultural significance to Olympia’s maritime history as a working tug for 80 years at that time. At the time of listing, the significant features noted to be preserved and maintained are:
1. 60 foot long (49 feet government)
2. 14 foot beam with six and one-half foot draft
3. Fabricated of old growth Douglas fir
4. Net tonnage 19 tons
5. Ironbark stern
6. Fantail stern
7. Plumb bow
8. Rounded front superstructure with casement windows
9. Pilot house has mast and funnel atop structure
The vessel was brought out of the water in 2023 for repairs, and was found to be in worse condition than anticipated leading to the boat remaining parked on land and becoming impounded by the Port of Olympia following due process. The time out of water has caused severe structural degradation, posing a tipping hazard in the boat yard, which is a significant safety risk. An auction was held on July 23, 2025 and there were no successful bids resulting in ownership of the tug reverting to the Port.
On April 13, 2026 the Heritage Review Committee of the Olympia Heritage Commission met with representatives from the Port of Olympia and Historic Maritime Foundation to go over the damaged condition of the boat and appropriate course of action (File #26-0277). The Port informed the committee that due to the various factors at play the vessel may be dismantled and removed from Boatworks due to safety concerns. The structural wood shrinkage resulting from being out of the water for several years increases the risk of tipping, collapse, or failure if moved or left unattended-posing risks to nearby workers, equipment, and infrastructure. The committee found that the damaged state of the vessel has not maintained the architectural integrity of the significant features, and deconstruction of the boat would meet the criteria for register removal. In their deliberations, the Heritage Review Committee agreed that the decommissioning of the historic Sandman Tugboat would be a significant loss to maritime heritage and preservation methods are highly encouraged. The matter of removing the tug from the Heritage Register has been referred to the full Heritage Commission for a decision pending this public hearing.
On May 27, 2026 Aaron LaPointe, Executive Director of the Historic Maritime Foundation, shared a briefing with the Heritage Commission to report on the proposed mitigation measures that would take place to preserve the history of the vessel. Preservation measures may include capturing photos and 3D scans, a survey and inventory of the artifacts and features of the vessel, exploring using the wheelhouse as a mobile interactive display for events and education, and distributing and repurposing artifacts from the vessel. As proposed, the working parts of the vessel would be transplanted to other active historic tugboats and other artifacts would be distributed via an application process to ensure the spirit and history of the vessel will remain accessible to the public.
Olympia Municipal Code 18.12.110-Removal of Designation states “In the event that any property is no longer deemed appropriate for designation to the Heritage Register, the Heritage Commission may remove such designation by the same procedure as provided for in establishing the designation […]”. The purpose of this public hearing is to determine whether the degradation of architectural integrity and deconstruction of the vessel deems it no longer appropriate for designation to the Heritage Register.
Climate Analysis:
Removing the Sandman Tugboat from the Olympia Heritage Register will have no climate impact.
Although not related to the ‘listing or de-listing’ decision being made at the public hearing, part of the overall project proposal for deconstruction is reusing working parts of the Sandman tugboat on other working vessels still in operation. This would keep those active vessels in service longer, thereby reducing the potential need for new parts to be manufactured and acquired and/or reducing the potential degradation and deterioration of those vessels to be deconstructed and potentially ending up in a landfill.
Equity Analysis:
The Port of Olympia and the Historic Maritime Foundation understand the value of this historic resource and believe that it is paramount to do what they can to preserve the history of the vessel. As part of this, community engagement efforts are being planned to ensure that the history of the vessel is preserved and that potential artifacts have a plan to be appropriately considered and distributed throughout the Olympia community so that the Sandman can continue to be accessible and recognized as a highlight of our local maritime heritage.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
This project is of interest to the broader Olympia community, as well as those involved in Olympia’s maritime heritage. Since the April 13 Heritage Review Committee meeting, several comments from the public have been received by the City related to the Sandman and have been forwarded to the Port of Olympia.
Options:
1. Conduct the public hearing, deliberate, and develop a recommendation on removing the Sandman tugboat from the Olympia Heritage Register.
2. Conduct the public hearing and postpone deliberations until the following meeting.
3. Do not conduct the public hearing and reschedule it for a future meeting.
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
Port Fact Sheet
Current Photos
Original Listing- Olympia Heritage Register Staff Report