Friday, October 2, 2026
Preserving the Sandman tugboat could involve using the wheelhouse as an interactive display, creating a 3D rendering and keeping artifacts from the vessel.
Those were some of the options mulled by the City of Olympia Heritage Commission at meeting on May 27.
The Sandman, which was built in 1908, was originally used to haul sand and gravel, according to the Olympia Historical Society. The tugboat is listed as a heritage resource on local registers and the National Register of Historic Places.
After being taken out of the water in 2023 for repairs, the Sandman (also known as Sand Man) was in worse condition than anticipated, with severe structural degradation that became a tipping hazard and safety risk at a local boatyard.
The Port of Olympia eventually put the vessel up for auction on July 23, 2025, but did not receive any bids.
Executive Director of the Historic Maritime Foundation Aaron LaPointe said repairing the vessel would cost approximately $500,000 or more. He said the goal is to preserve the vessel’s historical significance even though it will be dismantled.
The initial plan is to let the public know what is going to happen to the tugboat, then remove salvagable parts and create an inventory list.
Planned preservation efforts include creating a digital 3D rendering for public viewing, then preserving, archiving and offering artifacts that can be removed to interested groups.
“We have proposed that the wheelhouse of Sandman … be removed and made as an interactive historical display for children and families to enjoy,” LaPointe said.
A report from LaPointe states public organizations seeking to obtain artifacts from the vessel should be given preference, and other groups should go through a straightforward application process.
In April, the City of Olympia Heritage Review Committee considered the potential removal of the tugboat from the local heritage register.
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Snevets
Could someone from the Port please take the Coming Doon Sandman sign down from the proposed site by the Farmers Market?
Saturday, May 30 Report this
TheVirtualOne
I’m a fan of restoration of historical artifacts, but only if they are done so in a measured and thoughtful manner, and from specific targeted donations, not other people’s money (taxpayers). I don’t believe this has been the case for The Sandman. It was determined long ago the boat was in such bad condition it wasn’t salvageable, yet the Port of Olympia has spent, and is still spending, considerable taxpayer resources on it. Despite the valiant effort made by a volunteer organization to try and save it, along with the Port taking it over and trying to auction it, no one has come forward with the funds to save it. This is a great example of good intentions taking on a life of their own, again at taxpayers expense. This has to stop.
Saturday, May 30 Report this
BettyVerdammt
Use the boat for a viking funeral. Charge five million dollars for this funeral service. It's a one-time revenue source. Council will probably blow it on something performative and of less value.
Saturday, May 30 Report this
Boatyarddog
Snevets. I believe that space is being prepared for (Parthia) the Sister Ship of the Tug Sandman. NOT for Sandman
Saturday, May 30 Report this
Boatyarddog
TheVirtualOne your statement is factually incorrect. While the Port lacks skills in assessing value of Historical Holdings, The Parthia was assessed for being a display for the Public. Thus, the support structure was built for it. It's more expensive to block up at boat in the yard, so it makes sense to Move Sandman Out and utilize the space for paying customers. Because this Port Boatyard has become a money loser due to changes in the DIY policies, and rises in cost to do work on your own vessels. It used to be a good service, back in the 2000s. Now its a COW like many of the Money making schemes of a few Past Commissioners that wanted a fuel dock( Joe Downing) ( Bill Mc Gregor) a Helo pad... scrapped idea, they should allow the Public to do their own work like they did for Decades. Bad Policy makers make BAD Commissioners.
Saturday, May 30 Report this
Boatyarddog
BettyVerdammt, Nah, Enough Polluting Of BUDD BAY.
Saturday, May 30 Report this
TheVirtualOne
Boatyarddog - There’s nothing factually incorrect in what I wrote. The Port has spent precious time and money dealing with this debacle when they should have been dealing with more important issues than what has been deemed historical garbage. I would love to see some organization capable of restoring such a vessel (like the The Center for Wooden Boats) swoop down and take this over as a project, but that’s been attempted and failed. So what we have now is a governmental entity that’s taken control, spent time in meetings, incurred legal fees, and other additional costs, which has all been underwritten at taxpayer expense. The Port of Olympia has a demonstrated track record of losing and mismanaging money. Add the Sand Man to the long list.
Saturday, May 30 Report this
Boatyarddog
TheVirtualOne. Your incorrect because the port did not fund repairs in the past The Maritime Heritage Foundation, along with volunteers I was one such volunteer. The Heritage Foundation dissolved and it was no longer funded, and then removed from its Donated Moorage at Percival Landing. Because it was sinking and no one wanted to repair it.
Reasearch before posting. TheVirtualOne
Sunday, May 31 Report this
Boatyarddog
TheVirtualOne, this part is correct. "The Port of Olympia has a demonstrated track record of losing and mismanaging money." The Center for Wooden Boats has no such ability to Fund such a project, as it is private trade school. The Ports objective is narrow minded. And they Lose Millions every year keeping a group of Longshoreman employed at Taxpayers expense. That is all.
Sunday, May 31 Report this
Person of Interest
This is another Port distraction. Who is going to pay for a 3D rendering for public view and the inventory and removal of the wheel house.? No one will want that display it. The Port cannot make decisions. If you found 5 bartenders from 4th (I do not mean to demean bartenders) as Commissioners they could manage the Port better than the current Port Commission. I can’t wait to see the next move on this project. By the way where is the Parthia? The cost to
move these derelict boats is just unreasonable. Emotions from the Port and historic commissions overrule the economic realities of the situation.
Sunday, May 31 Report this
Boatyarddog
Snevets here is a link for you.
https://maritimeolyorg.weebly.com/the-parthia-project.html
Monday, June 1 Report this
Boatyarddog
Person of interest
https://maritimeolyorg.weebly.com/the-parthia-project.html
It's under cover in the BoatYard taking up useable space.
Monday, June 1 Report this
TheGreatAnon
Viking Funeral
Monday, June 1 Report this
swvoltz
A few folks here mention that Sand Man is taking up space in the yard that could go to paying customers. Have you looked at the yard lately? It is nowhere near full capacity. Lots of spaces available. Why? Because they have raised the rates. I know quite a few folks who did some price comparisons and decided to haul out elsewhere to save some money. They raised the cost of marina slips also and that's got the tenants there pretty upset.
Tuesday, June 2 Report this
Person of Interest
Could the rate increase and reduction in usage of the boat yard be a prelude to closing the boat yard and using the property for development?
Tuesday, June 2 Report this