'A Phoenix Rising From The Ashes': Team Restores Boat Gutted In Fire

SOUTHOLD, NY — One day before Easter, a story of hope rising from the ashes unfolded in Southold as a boat gutted by fire in 2022 was resurrected — a testament to the power of steadfast determination, dedicated craftsmanship, and the love of a community.

The Queen Eileen II, a boat belonging to former Greenport Village Mayor Dave Kapell and his wife Eileen, was badly damaged in a fire at Albertson Marine in Southold last year.

"It’s been complexly restored by a host of terrific local tradesmen," Kapell told Patch. "It’s a great story about a phoenix rising with the support of the marine trades we still have here on the North Fork. Lots of people can take credit."

Just 15 months after near total destruction in the fire in dry storage, Kapell said, "the 'Queen' is fully restored, better than ever, and back in service thanks to our talented North Fork neighbors in the marine trades. Thank you all, but especially Albertson Marine and Chuck’s Fiberglass Services!"

Five boats were found ablaze at the Southold marina during the January, 2022 fire, police said.

According to Southold Town police, the incident took place at 3:40 a.m. at Albertson Marine, located on Route 25. Police received a report of a boat fire and, upon arrival, an officer found five winterized boats that were stored outside engulfed in flames, officials said.

Kapell, his family, and the team of angels who worked tirelessly to breathe new life into the vessel, gathered at Albertson Marine Saturday to christen and launch the Queen Eileen with champagne and smiles.

Kapell credited the many "that literally brought our boat back from the ashes — brought it back from death. The amazing thing is all the marine trade talent we have on the North Fork. I'm proud of them."

After the fire, it was suggested that he send the boat back to Wilbur Yachts, the original manufacturer in Maine, Kapell said.

"But I had confidence that our tradespeople could do it locally," he said. "The 'before' photo helps people understand what a feat it took to restore it."

Kapell gave a heartfelt thanks to the many who rallied to bring the boat back to her former glory. "We are grateful to all of them and proud to live in the same community," he said.

For all the talented tradespeople that literally brought the boat back from the ashes, Kapell said the journey was deeply personal. "They all took the project on like it was their own, and we’re deeply grateful to them all."

Kapell thanked Ed Viola of Marine Surveyor; Dave, Bill and Kathy Witzke and Tod Cantrell of Albertson Marine in Southold, the project managers; Chuck and Jesse Van Duzer and Joe Hoffman of Chuck’s Fiberglass Services in Peconic; Ron Johnson of JD Johnson Marine Carpentry in Mattituck; Eric Scharpf of Beyond Brightworx in Aquebogue, who performed the teak refinishing; Dennis Cox of Vinyl Works in Bohemia, for the upholstery work; Jack Kohut, Blu-J Marine Electronics in Greenport, for the electronics component; Dave Hardy — aka "Diesel Dave" — of EK Diesel in Aquebogue; Bill Von Eiff of Reflective Image in Greenport, for the name lettering; Walter Gezari and Fred Miner of STIDD Systems in Greenport for seating; and Jim Ryan of Marine Insurance in Greenport.

Although the fire was devastating, Eileen Kapell said she believes in silver linings — such as seeing the boat Saturday, sunshine glinting off its pristine glory, and most of all, her family gathered around her — home on the North Fork, as they have been since the start of the pandemic.

"If this boat wasn't named for my wife, I'd rename her 'Phoenix,'" Kapell said.

Dave Witzke of Albertson Marine said after months of hard work, it was "exciting" to see the Queen Eileen restored and ready for new memories.

After Saturday's launch, Kapell reflected: "I realize I am overwhelmed by how beautiful she is and all the fantastic help we had making it happen in our hometown. I'm very, very grateful," he said. "We have these marine trades here, and it's something to be treasured and protected."

He added that he also feels terribly for those whose vessels were destroyed in the fire. "I can't imagine how they feel; they completely lost their boats," he said.

He remains forever grateful, Kapell said, for the artistry, dedication, and bonds of friendship forged in his hometown that led to Saturday's celebration of hope and new beginning. As the boat was lowered into the water for the first time in more than a year, he said, "It's like watching a phoenix rise from the ashes."