A 30-foot sailboat sustained some superficial damage Friday night, Oct. 23, while it was moored at the Coupeville Wharf.

Jim Patton, Port of Coupeville executive director, said the large sailboat was apparently tied to the float at the wharf. However, the rope was weak and broke off sometime during the windy evening.

By the time Patton arrived the bow of the boat had pulled away while the stern was pushing into the float. Patton and the port’s handyman worked to tie the boat back to the float. He was concerned that the boat could have sunk if it hadn’t been tied down.

The port has had past problems with damaged boats at the wharf. A sailboat sank near the wharf last spring; in the spring of 2007, the houseboat being transported from Seattle to Canada sprung a leak and was diverted to Coupeville and remained at the wharf until it was repaired.