[2] In 2002, after a large fire, where thirty vessels were destroyed, firefighting authorities decided to permanently station a fireboat on the lakes, because it takes an hour for a fireboat to traverse the locks between the lakes and the Ocean.

[6][7] It was stipulated by the City ahead of time that the high bidder must meet certain requirements, including appropriate insurance and moorage.

[9] In June Seattle paid for a survey, and some minor repairs, and announced plans to offer the vessel for sale again, this time at a live auction.

[10][11][12][13] In August 2014 Craig Mullen, the fourth owner in the year since Seattle sold the vessel, admitted falling behind in the mortgage payments for the Alki, and said he feared he might have to break up the historic vessel, and sell off its parts.

Mullen's asking price was $50,000—exactly twice what the vessel had sold for, at Seattle's live auction, a year earlier.