Workers were able to refloat a snow-covered 40-foot pleasure boat that had sunk about two-thirds underwater while tied up at its slip in Heritage Harbor.

The Little Darling, owned by a Louisiana resident, has been moored in Wrangell not quite a year, said Harbormaster Steve Miller.

“It was his dream to come to Alaska and fish.”

The harbor camera shows the boat went under about 1 or 2 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, Miller said. It remained tied to the float, which probably helped keep it from sinking further, he said. There was no damage to the float.

It was the second boat at Heritage Harbor last week to succumb to the heavy snow load. The harbor crew was able to shovel off enough snow and run dewatering pumps to save a different boat from going completely under on Dec. 17, Miller said. “It was a little submerged.”

Though owners may look at their boats and think the snow load is not too bad, looks can be deceiving, the harbormaster said.

After almost two weeks of snow and cold, with some icy rain mixed in last week, the snow has gotten packed down and hides a lot of weight, he explained. The snow also has hardened, making it more difficult to clear off the deck and cabin.

“We probably called 50 people today,” he told the port commission at its Dec. 18 meeting. “We’ll probably call another 30 or 40 tomorrow,” advising owners to clear snow from their boats. The message is clear: “We’re calling you because we’re worried.”

Several boats were leaning under the weight, he told commissioners. “We’re really worried.”

Harbor staff set out absorbent booms around the Little Darling and notified state and federal officials of the sinking, Miller said. The boat owner is responsible for raising the vessel and any cleanup that may be required.

Dave Miller, of Dave’s Welding and Repair, and diver James Nelson were able to lift the boat out of the water Friday, Dec. 19.

Nelson positioned 8,000 pounds of float bags under the boat, while Dave Miller worked with the hoist from a seiner, chains and other gear to bring the Little Darling to the surface, he explained.

A second seiner was at the scene to provide lights, said Miller, who also was effusive in his praise for the Wrangell Fire Department and harbor staff who helped out with pumps and other support.