IMPORTANT; PLEASE READ AND/OR SHARE

Hello everyone, I’m writing this post to ask for any help that you may be able to provide, whether it be a financial contribution or by sharing this post. On August 9, 2025, at approximately 2 AM at the Seward shipyard out Nash Road, several equipment items belonging to my parents were severely damaged in an act of vandalism. According to game camera photos that were caught at the time of the crime, the act was committed by what appears to be three males (possibly late teens to early adults). The next afternoon, Seward Police witnessed two males and one female at the same site in addition to a white Ford Transit van (older model, possibly 2012-2015 model). These people have not been caught, nor do we have concrete proof of who committed this act. This act of vandalism was devastating financially, as well as emotionally. To top it off, a couple of hours before this destruction was discovered, my mother was admitted to the hospital, after being told that her calcium level was so high that she could have a heart attack at any second.

After calculating the estimated amount of damage to the equipment, it appears that it will cost my parents between $20-25,000 to repair everything. The additional $5,000 is to cover travel and labor costs, as any professionals will be required to travel to Seward in order to make the repairs. These vandals did not hold back; they broke every single window but two in the excavator, pulled out all of the wiring harnesses leading to the pumps and broke them off, pulled out wiring in the engine, removed the engine oil cap and shoved dirt into it, removed other various parts from the engine and threw them in various places, tossed a metal barrel onto the top of their Bobcat while standing on the neighboring boat and, as a result, caused significant damage to the Bobcat’s engine. To the International 4300 truck, they smashed the windshield to the point where one can barely see through it. Additionally, it was noticed that various support wedges beneath the vessel next to the equipment had been removed, likely in an attempt to make it tip over onto the truck, Bobcat, and excavator.

I want to provide a little background of this business, which my parents have named Marathon Marine Salvage and Transport. My dad retired from his career back in 2023, and my parents decided to start this business as a retirement project and as a means of additional income to survive on. Initially, my dad had purchased some equipment that allowed him to slowly make progress on the dismantling of old vessels that are no longer fit for the water. In an attempt to be able to make faster progress in the dismantling of said vessels, my parents obtained a business loan and purchased their excavator. After 10 minutes of use, the excavator ceased to function. Due to this happening, progress on dismantling the boat remained slow and, as a result, the necessary profits were not being made. Because of this, my dad had to come out of retirement in order to make enough money to make payments on the equipment loans.

Between both of my parents working, my dad conducting and completing boat surveys on the side, and working to make pre-existing repairs on the excavator, there was hope of finally being able to resume progress on dismantling the vessel. Then the vandalism occurred. What was ten minutes or so of “fun” to the vandals is the complete destruction of my parents’ livelihood. This equipment is uninsured, as my parents have not had the funds necessary to purchase insurance. These people have destroyed the equipment to the point where it cannot be used in order for my parents to run their business. Despite not being able to use the equipment to make progress on dismantling the boat, my parents are still required to make monthly loan payments on this equipment. My parents have no savings; they have put everything they make into this business, as well as other living costs.

I am heartbroken for my parents, as I know how detrimental this has been to not only their business, but their wellbeing and overall livelihood. If you are able to contribute, we greatly appreciate any help you can provide. I’ve attached pictures of the damage, as well as images and a video of my dad’s work. Thank you for reading.