The Boats of Ike

The Boats of Hurricane Ike

These are just a small percentage of the boats washed up on land from Ike that I took. It was unbelievable to see them everywhere. There are still quite a few sailboats sitting on the side of the roads around Galveston.

The Mystic mariner was put up for sale as it sat on land.
It was purschased and then moved back into the water where it sits again.

I took this photo the Monday after Ike hit

Boat washed ashore by Ike has new owners, home

By Chris Paschenko
The Daily News

Published December 31, 2008

GALVESTON — The 66-ton Mystic Mariner, one of the most visible of spectacles testifying to the immense power of Hurricane Ike’s devastating blow to Galveston Island, is on the move once again.

For years, the 1953 sailboat, which was converted by a former owner to a fishing vessel, sat anchored in Offatts Bayou until the storm’s Sept. 13 landfall in Galveston thrust the boat ashore.

The slow, methodical process of returning the Mystic Mariner to the Gulf continued Tuesday, as the new owners seek to salvage the vessel, which is highly visible to Gulf Freeway travelers.

The Urbanovskys bought the boat because they couldn’t refuse the asking price — which they asked to keep a secret — despite the labor-intensive challenge of maneuvering the vessel with crane and makeshift dollies about 50 yards back to Offatts Bayou.

Chris Urbanovsky, a sophomore Sea Aggie, said his dream was to turn the boat into his living quarters for his upperclassman years at Texas A&M University at Galveston until he graduates with a marine transportation degree.

His dad has a different plan.

Steven Urbanovsky’s dream is to rebuild the mast and sail the Caribbean.

Tresa Urbanovsky said her husband’s notion for the couple’s voyage in the open sea may just be only a dream.

“Once my son gets his license, I’ll get on it with him,” she said.

When Hurricane Ike made landfall in Galveston, its devastating storm surge caused severe flooding and littered Galveston County with boats.

It is unclear how long the Mystic Mariner sat in the bayou just south of 64th Street before waves beached it on private property.

The landowner originally told family members to take their time removing the vessel, but that has since changed with the possibility of the federal government placing temporary shelters there to house hurricane refugees, the Urbanovskys said.

As the sun dipped Tuesday on the western horizon, family members and other workers shored the vessel with supports in preparation to place four- and six-wheel dollies underneath the boat to haul it to the water.

The condition of the boat’s keel came into question, prompting the family to ponder whether to repair possible leaks before sending it under way.

The family said with nightfall fast approaching, they might have to finish the project today.

The boat sustained no water damage and only little damage to its propeller and rudder, Chris Urbanovsky said. The engine ran before the storm, he said.

When the project is finished, the family from Cuero plans to refurbish the boat in a dry dock in Palacios, Chris Urbanovsky said.

“There is a story on the Internet that it had made its last voyage,” Steve Urbanovsky said. “We’ll prove that wrong.”

This is from the previous owners:

Since relocating to Santa Fe,NM after Hurricane Ike, reading the GDN is my morning routine. I was thrilled to see the photo and story on the Mystic Mariner. The Mystic Mariner belonged to Dennis McFadden and I for nearly 5 years. We were very happy to sell the boat to Steve & family and wish them all the best in their adventures with the Mystic Mariner. The day after the storm when we found the boat aground was heart-breaking for us. We were just glad that the boat didn't land in someone's living room on Offat's Bayou. Dennis had the boat anchored with 5 big anchors and chained to some of the concrete debris along the bayou shoreline. When she came aground one of the anchors was still attached and the lines holding taught against a tree.What a ride she must have had during the storm! The Mystic Mariner sat upright proud on-land, just as she had in the water. A fitting symbol for Galveston.

We wish the Steve & family many happy times with
the Mystic Mariner.

Kathleen DiNatale

Photo by Jennifer Reynolds

Mystic Mariner moving back to sea

Steve Urbanovsky watches as a crane gently lifts the bow of his boat, the Mystic Mariner, on Tuesday in Galveston. The 66-ton boat was washed ashore during Hurricane Ike in September.

Published December 31, 2008

These photos were taken by Stephen Murphy on the day they were preparing to move the Mystic Mariner.
His Webpage is called Three Palms Photo