A new twist to a long-standing state pollution prevention program made a hearty debut last week on the waterfront of Friday Harbor. By all accounts, it proved a smashing success.

Ken Norris wasn’t going to stick around to witness the lift-off from start to finish because the derelict vessel removal program’s newest feature, the “turn-in” option, signaled a bittersweet goodbye.

“It’s a mixed blessing to have the state take care of it for me,” Norris said of the fate of the 28-foot wooden boat that for the better part of 20 years had been home-sweet-home and the embodiment of a cherished dream. His means to maintain the boat slipped away in the fallout from a severe leg injury several years ago and, ultimately, orders by his doctor to abandon ship.

Managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources,

in partnership with local government entities, like counties, cities and publicly owned port districts, the Derelict Vessel Removal Program has had its own share of ups and downs since it was first founded in 2002.

In San Juan County, the program collapsed when budget-wary county officials opted against setting aside $10,000 or so – the local “match” required by DNR for removal and demolition costs – in the wake of the economic recession. Under the program, the state, through DNR, covers 90 percent of the cost associated with removal, transport, demolition and disposal of boats, docks and floats that have fallen into disrepair and that have either been abandoned or are in imminent threat of sinking.

Then, about three years ago, San Juan Island’s Marc Forlenza, the then-commander of the Friday Harbor Power Squadron, raised $6,500 as part of the matching fund, which former local program coordinator and Public Works employee Joanruth Baumann used to persuade the county to chip in $5,000, to convince DNR to resume the program.

Since then, the program has been flourishing. With Forlenza now at the helm, and a $325,000 grant from Puget Sound Partnership, it has become a model for the state. Forlenza also works with other communities to help shore up and keep their own programs afloat and adequately funded.

Still, the “Turn In Option” adds a new wrinkle and incentive to the program. It’s designed to take boats of 45 feet or less, which have fallen into disrepair, off the hands of Washington residents who lack the financial resources to repair and maintain them.

Forlenza intends to make sure that the San Juans get their share, and local businesses have a chance to benefit before the funding set aside by the state dries up. He noted that the cost to demolish, and dispose of Norris’ 1969 Owens-built boat proved less expensive by having it done by local contractors than by a large regional company.

The legislature allocated $4.5 million for the derelict vessel program as part of the 2013-15 state budget, of which roughly $200,000 is earmarked for the turn-in program. That translates into $100,000 a year to cover the cost of the voluntary program, noted Manager Tammy Robbins.

Robbins said DNR has received about a dozen applications since it went live on May 1. The bill to tow, demolish and dispose of the average boat is about $9,000, she said.

“We’re trying to find the best value for the money,” she said. “Hopefully as we get going we can do ‘batch’ removals to consolidate costs.”