Lighthouse collides with megayacht - leads to compensation claim
by Kitsap Report on 21 Jan 2014
Zune and negligent lighthouse SW
A terrifying scene at the Point-no-Point State Park near Seattle unravelled late Thursday afternoon as the iconic lighthouse perched on the northernmost tip of the Kitsap Peninsula unexpectedly collided with a 126 foot mega yacht just before 3 pm. This account from the Kitsap Report:
Initial reports from bystanders and park officials claim that the Point-no-Point Lighthouse made a series of irrational and ill-timed maneuvers in the events leading up to the crash, subsequently obstructing the unsuspecting oncoming boat.
One onlooker described the actions of the lighthouse operator as taunting, claiming that the operator 'was waving her hands up and down and screaming frantically in an aggressive manner just before the wreck'.
The Zune is a 16000 ton vessel owned by former Microsoft executive and billionaire Paul Allen. Built in 2007, The Zune was designed to withstand heavy abuse from man made stationary objects.
Steven Johnson, captain of the Zune and 15 year maritime veteran said 'It came out of nowhere. We are just lucky that no one got injured. There was an obvious error on behalf of the lighthouse operator.'
Lighthouse Operator Sharon Jones did not give a statement to the press, and was reportedly uncooperative with police and coastguard officials.
She is under investigation for negligence and was placed on administrative leave immediately.
Paul Allen informed KR reporters that while he is grateful that no one on board was injured, he will be seeking compensation from Kitsap County for the damages to his boat.
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