Man offers up boat after another loses his during storm

A liveaboard boat owner in Southwest Florida is being offered a new home from someone in the community after his repeatedly slammed into Matlacha Bridge during Tropical Storm Eta.

Dick Clark admits he’s not the strong, young man he used to be.

“I went through a few surgeries that were tough on me, so I’m really kind of debilitated in a lot of ways,’ Clark said.

At 88 years old, Clark spent many of his years on boats. It’s hard for him to take a seat back and watch his big, beautiful baby weather away.

“I love the boat, and I love taking care of it, but I’m just unable to run down and get on and off and all of that, so, you know, my life passed it by,’ Clark said.

Clark is getting ready to move across the country to be with his kids. He can’t take “River Dancer” with him.

“It’s a boat to be enjoyed,” he said.

So Clark got an idea as he watched WINK News coverage of Eta. He saw our video of a Christian Mancon’s sailboat banging into the Matlacha Bridge. He felt for Mancon, as he tried to save her to no avail. He listened as Mancon spoke about losing his home.

“There’s nothing you can do once it breaks loose,” Clark said. “Everything goes down the hill from there.”

Clark decided then and there he was going to help Macon like few others could. He said “River Dancer” is Mancon’s if he wants it.

Clark said the engine for “river Dancer” needs a few repairs, but Mancon told us it should be an easy fix.

“I feel good that people are trying to help,” Macon said. “I appreciate that a lot and … it’s — I don’t know — It’s kind of hard to express the gratitude.”