Boat removal clash leads to arrest

A Richardson Bay mariner was arrested on allegations he tried to block harbor authorities from seizing a boat.

Tim Logan, 42, was booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of obstructing a public officer, operating a watercraft recklessly and interfering with the marine regulators.

The alleged crimes happened last week while Curtis Havel, the Richardson’s Bay Regional Agency harbormaster, and assistant Jim Malcolm were towing a boat for disposal. They confiscated the boat as part of the agency’s controversial plan to clear the bay of marine debris and derelict vessels at the behest of the San Francisco Bay Conservation Development Commission.

Logan, operating a skiff, allegedly yelled at the harbor crew and maneuvered his boat into their path, causing a collision, said sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Brovelli.

The sheriff’s department contacted Logan on Monday and asked him to come in and give a statement. He did so on Tuesday, after which deputies booked him.

Brovelli said the investigation remains active. The sheriff’s department has a video of the incident recorded by Havel, but declined to release it. Havel declined a request for an interview, citing the ongoing investigation.

Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters, who sits on the bay agency board along with representatives from Mill Valley, Tiburon and Belvedere, said she is aware of the incident and investigation.

“My understanding is that there are a number of issues that must be reviewed in detail,” Moulton-Peters said. “That review is happening now.”

Logan, who is free on bail, said he told investigators he got in front of the patrol boat thinking Havel would stop, but he was rammed and dragged about 100 yards. He said he was pinned against the bow of the patrol boat.

“I wouldn’t change what I did,” said Logan, who has lived on the bay for three years. “As far as I’m concerned Havel and the RBRA are in the wrong. They should not be taking boats people live on while lying to the public that they are helping us get dock space or housing when they are not.”

Logan’s lawyer, Charles Dresow, alleged the RBRA is violating the Fourth Amendment by seizing property without a warrant or due process.

“The government is not entitled or empowered to use law enforcement to trick and intimidate citizens,” Dresow said. “The conduct of the government will be revealed as this proceeding moves into court, and I am confident that my client will be found not guilty of the allegations against him.”