Chris Morrison of Wiscasset, owner of the Minesweeper which sank in Wiscasset Harbor in a storm last January, has been charged with Littering of more than 15 pounds or 27 cubic feet of refuse, a Class V infraction.

He faces arraignment at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 25.

The town has asked Morrison to remove the vessel. Initially, he said he would arrange for the salvage within days. According to then-Harbormaster Levon Travis, the ship went down with diesel fuel oil on board, which Travis feared would contaminate nearby clam beds. When Morrison failed to salvage the ship and the recreational boating season neared, Wiscasset placed a warning buoy around the ship. The ship is not in the shipping lanes, so the Coast Guard has said it cannot interfere with it; it lies on the outer edge of the town’s mooring field.

The town made several other attempts to reach out to Morrison. In July, Morrison stated he was fiscally unable to raise the ship. The District Attorney was brought into the matter and Morrison was issued a citation for Littering.

Under state law, someone convicted of littering of more than 15 pounds or 27 cubic feet is subject to paying triple the damages to the affected party, plus any court costs and attorney’s fees; possible public service related to the littering; possibly removing the litter; a possible $500 fine; and possible suspension of a motor vehicle license and professional licenses until the fines, fees and provisions are met.