The Port of Coupeville is planning to auction another unwanted boat that it recently acquired.

Buyers are being sought for the Carpe Diem, a 37-foot Islander sailing vessel that had been anchored for years near Lovejoy Point but is now moored at the Coupeville Wharf.

Jim Patton, executive director for the Port of Coupeville, said the boat ran aground in January and was towed to the Coupeville Wharf, where it has been moored ever since. He said the boat lacked any anchorage, safety equipment or any reliable way for an occupant to get it ashore.

Peter Driftmeyer, had been living on the boat for years. With the help of Island County Human Services, he was able to find an apartment in Oak Harbor. Ownership of the Carpe Diem  was conveyed to the port, Patton said.

Patton said three volunteers — Russ Johnson, Jeff Steirn and John Bachert — filled and removed bags full of trash from the vessel to get it in condition for people to view the vessel.

Last year, the port had to auction the Louie Louie, a 40-foot SeaRay, after its owner wasn’t able to pay the moorage fees. The port eventually auctioned the boat for $10,000, but the money from the sale went to a bank that had a lien on the vessel. The port was reimbursed 90 percent of the cost associated with auctioning the Louie Louie by the state Derelict Boat Fund.

Bids will be announced at the monthly Port of Coupeville Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled Wednesday, March 14, at the Coupeville Public Library beginning at 3:30 p.m.

The winning bidder will be responsible for all moorage fees incurred after March 14.