Abandoned boat in S.F.: Like a beached whale, a small sailboat has washed ashore on Ocean Beach, where it has remained for two weeks. And similar to a whale carcass, the vessel has drawn spectators who - cameras in hand - are taking photos and staring in amazement. The abandoned boat, a 1975 Clipper Marine, has graffiti ("Bad Vibes Bob!") on its starboard side. An anonymous tipster e-mailed ChronicleWatch about the boat, saying, "It is now being vandalized. Who is responsible for its removal and when will it be done? Ocean Beach is a great treasure and doesn't need this kind of debris on it." On Wednesday afternoon, Rich Weideman, spokesman for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, said the boat was involved in a Coast Guard rescue operation off Ocean Beach, and three people were brought to shore, two of whom were transported to San Francisco General Hospital, where they were treated and released, according to Weideman. The Coast Guard has tried to contact the owner - a man from Los Altos - to come and get his vessel, but the owner's boat registration only lists a post office box, Weideman said. Authorities are trying to get more contact information. If the owner doesn't come forward within 10 days, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area - which is responsible for Ocean Beach - will hire a contractor to remove the boat, then bill the owner for the costs, which can be high, Weideman said.

Is something broken in your neighborhood? Call us at (415) 777-7170 or e-mail us at chroniclewatch@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page B - 2 of the San Francisco Chronicle