Point Estero: I captured this image on the Central Coast of California. I love taking walks on foggy mornings, and the Point Estero Estero shipwreck was on the sightseeing list for the...

Chris Garcia

I captured this image on the Central Coast of California. I love taking walks on foggy mornings, and the Point Estero Estero shipwreck was on the sightseeing list for the day. Below is some information about the vessel.

Just west of the town of Cayucos CA, along the coastline and the Pacific Coast Highway, is a fascinating shipwreck, in remarkable condition!

The Point Estero was a commercial fishing vessel that had originated from Morro Bay Harbor. On July 28th, 2017, on its way back to Morro Bay, it unfortunately ran aground at the eastern part of Estero Bluff State Park, supposedly due to operator error.

It took the U.S. Coast Guard less than two days to remove all the hazardous materials from the stuck ship, including a large supply of oil. The Coast Guard though does not salvage abandoned vessels that are located on land or are semi grounded on coastal rocks, as their area of authority is navigable waters, therefore the Point Estero did not fall under their purview, and remained where it was.

The owner gave up possession of the boat, once it was estimated that it would cost at least $175,000 to remove the boat and tow it back to Morro Bay Harbor. Since the vessel is stuck in a state park, the State Lands Commission does have the authority to remove the ship, but due to a legislative oversight by the state, the commission has no funding or budget to actually do so!

And thus the boat remains, there along the coast west of Cayucos, just south of the Pacific Coast Highway, which runs east / west there as it hugs the coastline! It has been stripped of everything, including all electronics and engine parts. When the tide is low, it is extremely easy to walk out to the shipwreck and board her. I advise some caution, however, as holes are already forming on the ship's floor.

Not surprisingly, there are a few urban legends surrounding why the ship crashed off shore ranging from the ship being stuck in a storm surge to the ship being borrowed by a friend of the owner and being used for a night drinking, resulting in the ship being run aground after one too many. Whatever the reason, there is now another fascinating stop along Route 1.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Very nice work, Chris!

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Great shot and thanks for the supporting information

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Very interesting.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

A really nice image.

L-Fox

Chris Garcia wrote:

I captured this image on the Central Coast of California. I love taking walks on foggy mornings, and the Point Estero Estero shipwreck was on the sightseeing list for the day. Below is some information about the vessel.

Just west of the town of Cayucos CA, along the coastline and the Pacific Coast Highway, is a fascinating shipwreck, in remarkable condition!

The Point Estero was a commercial fishing vessel that had originated from Morro Bay Harbor. On July 28th, 2017, on its way back to Morro Bay, it unfortunately ran aground at the eastern part of Estero Bluff State Park, supposedly due to operator error.

It took the U.S. Coast Guard less than two days to remove all the hazardous materials from the stuck ship, including a large supply of oil. The Coast Guard though does not salvage abandoned vessels that are located on land or are semi grounded on coastal rocks, as their area of authority is navigable waters, therefore the Point Estero did not fall under their purview, and remained where it was.

The owner gave up possession of the boat, once it was estimated that it would cost at least $175,000 to remove the boat and tow it back to Morro Bay Harbor. Since the vessel is stuck in a state park, the State Lands Commission does have the authority to remove the ship, but due to a legislative oversight by the state, the commission has no funding or budget to actually do so!

And thus the boat remains, there along the coast west of Cayucos, just south of the Pacific Coast Highway, which runs east / west there as it hugs the coastline! It has been stripped of everything, including all electronics and engine parts. When the tide is low, it is extremely easy to walk out to the shipwreck and board her. I advise some caution, however, as holes are already forming on the ship's floor.

Not surprisingly, there are a few urban legends surrounding why the ship crashed off shore ranging from the ship being stuck in a storm surge to the ship being borrowed by a friend of the owner and being used for a night drinking, resulting in the ship being run aground after one too many. Whatever the reason, there is now another fascinating stop along Route 1.

I captured this image on the Central Coast of Cali... (show quote)

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Chris Garcia wrote:

I captured this image on the Central Coast of California. I love taking walks on foggy mornings, and the Point Estero Estero shipwreck was on the sightseeing list for the day. Below is some information about the vessel.

Just west of the town of Cayucos CA, along the coastline and the Pacific Coast Highway, is a fascinating shipwreck, in remarkable condition!

The Point Estero was a commercial fishing vessel that had originated from Morro Bay Harbor. On July 28th, 2017, on its way back to Morro Bay, it unfortunately ran aground at the eastern part of Estero Bluff State Park, supposedly due to operator error.

It took the U.S. Coast Guard less than two days to remove all the hazardous materials from the stuck ship, including a large supply of oil. The Coast Guard though does not salvage abandoned vessels that are located on land or are semi grounded on coastal rocks, as their area of authority is navigable waters, therefore the Point Estero did not fall under their purview, and remained where it was.

The owner gave up possession of the boat, once it was estimated that it would cost at least $175,000 to remove the boat and tow it back to Morro Bay Harbor. Since the vessel is stuck in a state park, the State Lands Commission does have the authority to remove the ship, but due to a legislative oversight by the state, the commission has no funding or budget to actually do so!

And thus the boat remains, there along the coast west of Cayucos, just south of the Pacific Coast Highway, which runs east / west there as it hugs the coastline! It has been stripped of everything, including all electronics and engine parts. When the tide is low, it is extremely easy to walk out to the shipwreck and board her. I advise some caution, however, as holes are already forming on the ship's floor.

Not surprisingly, there are a few urban legends surrounding why the ship crashed off shore ranging from the ship being stuck in a storm surge to the ship being borrowed by a friend of the owner and being used for a night drinking, resulting in the ship being run aground after one too many. Whatever the reason, there is now another fascinating stop along Route 1.

I captured this image on the Central Coast of Cali... (show quote)

tcthome Loc: NJ

Tdearing Loc: Rockport, TX

Well done.

Goober Loc: Southeastern PA

Interesting photo and description of it’s fate. Thanks for posting.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good shot, Chris.

tuatara Loc: Orig. NZ - currently SF area

Chris Garcia wrote:

I captured this image on the Central Coast of California. I love taking walks on foggy mornings, and the Point Estero Estero shipwreck was on the sightseeing list for the day. Below is some information about the vessel.

Just west of the town of Cayucos CA, along the coastline and the Pacific Coast Highway, is a fascinating shipwreck, in remarkable condition!

The Point Estero was a commercial fishing vessel that had originated from Morro Bay Harbor. On July 28th, 2017, on its way back to Morro Bay, it unfortunately ran aground at the eastern part of Estero Bluff State Park, supposedly due to operator error.

It took the U.S. Coast Guard less than two days to remove all the hazardous materials from the stuck ship, including a large supply of oil. The Coast Guard though does not salvage abandoned vessels that are located on land or are semi grounded on coastal rocks, as their area of authority is navigable waters, therefore the Point Estero did not fall under their purview, and remained where it was.

The owner gave up possession of the boat, once it was estimated that it would cost at least $175,000 to remove the boat and tow it back to Morro Bay Harbor. Since the vessel is stuck in a state park, the State Lands Commission does have the authority to remove the ship, but due to a legislative oversight by the state, the commission has no funding or budget to actually do so!

And thus the boat remains, there along the coast west of Cayucos, just south of the Pacific Coast Highway, which runs east / west there as it hugs the coastline! It has been stripped of everything, including all electronics and engine parts. When the tide is low, it is extremely easy to walk out to the shipwreck and board her. I advise some caution, however, as holes are already forming on the ship's floor.

Not surprisingly, there are a few urban legends surrounding why the ship crashed off shore ranging from the ship being stuck in a storm surge to the ship being borrowed by a friend of the owner and being used for a night drinking, resulting in the ship being run aground after one too many. Whatever the reason, there is now another fascinating stop along Route 1.

I captured this image on the Central Coast of Cali... (show quote)

Reminds me of the Inverness Boat

(Download)

josquin1 Loc: Massachusetts

Had a similar experience with my sailboat. A force 10 storm with a 4 foot surge came through Buzzards Bay in MA and broke the chain to the mooring. The waves took my boat up into the channel and deposited it in some rocks upright. The boatyard couldn't get it out of the rocks so they said it was going to be a "testament to man's folly." They couldn't use a helicopter as the cost of the flight was more than the boat was assessed by the insurance co. But mother nature had other plans for it as Hurricane Bob came along with a 7 foot surge and lifted it off the rocks and deposited it in a neighbor's front yard with the bowsprit sticking into their porch. They said it was rather frightening to see my boat coming straight towards their front door. An exciting day to say the least.

diclam Loc: Red Lake Falls, MN

Nice shot of this wreck and good info!