Coast Guard says crane may be needed to move boat stranded near Bradford Beach since Oct. 13

After nearly four weeks stuck in the sand, many Milwaukeeans may be wondering if the stranded boat near Bradford Beach is simply here to stay.

The boat, a 33-foot Chris-Craft Roamer, ran aground just behind the rock wall between MooSa's restaurant and McKinley Marina on Oct. 13 when its owners ran out of gas. No one was injured in the incident. Officials said they didn't immediately move the vessel since no human lives were in danger and it wasn't blocking any federal waterways.

Coast Guard officials have told the Journal Sentinel that they're working with a commercial towing and salvage company to remove the boat, though its owners are responsible for hiring and paying the salvage company. Initially, officials hoped to have the vessel removed by Oct. 20. But weather, namely high winds and waves, has repeatedly delayed the process .

Thursday morning, U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Joe Neff said high winds this week have further pushed back retrieval of the boat. A crane may be needed to remove the boat since it's lodged "so far down" in the sand, he said. There's no target date for the vessel's removal, but the Coast Guard is continuing to coordinate with the salvage company, Neff said.

The Coast Guard has determined that the boat doesn't pose a threat of pollution, floating away or other danger.

In the 25 days that it's been stranded, the boat has caught the attention of social media users, passersby and local media. It's visible to drivers and pedestrians traveling north on Lincoln Memorial Drive. Someone even stuck an "I Closed Wolski's" sticker from the iconic Milwaukee tavern on the boat's side.

When the boat was first abandoned, a kayak was onboard. The kayak has since been stolen or recovered by the owners. Neff said the Coast Guard has received some reports of people climbing on the boat, but mostly, people have just stopped to take photos or get a closer look by traversing the uneven rock wall.