UPDATED 3:30 p.m. April 24, 2013

Police believe they did the proper thing last Sunday in escorting an inebriated man a short distance to the boat where he lived.

Unfortunately, later that morning, the long-time Port Townsend resident and sailboat liveaboard somehow went overboard.

The body of Richard B. Finn, 49, was found floating in the water at Port of Port Townsend Boat Haven shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday, April 21.

Finn was last seen alive about 5 a.m. Sunday when a police officer stopped to check on him in front of the West Marine store, 2428 Washington St., about a block from where his boat was moored. Finn appeared to have been consuming alcohol, so the officer summoned an East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) ambulance for a medical evaluation, according to Officer Luke Bogues, public information contact for the Port Townsend Police Department (PTPD).

No cause for medical concern was found at the time, so the officer and aid crew escorted Finn to the 26-foot sailboat where he lived, Bogues reported, and ensured Finn was safely inside the cabin before departing.

Police and EJFR personnel were dispatched at 7:59 a.m. after a 911 call was received reporting what appeared to be a body floating in the water near the linear dock at Boat Haven.

It is unknown when or why he later exited the boat, nor how he ended up in the water.

Bogues reported that an autopsy was performed April 21, and the cause of death will be determined by the state medical examiner. Since the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab may take several weeks to release toxicology results, the medical examiner’s cause of death report may not be available until then. However, foul play is not suspected, Bogues noted.

PTPD response

On Monday, PTPD Chief Conner Daily said he and his staff will be discussing the incident. He said there was no legal rationale for detaining Finn, and institutions like the Jefferson County Jail and Jefferson Healthcare are almost always at capacity.

“The community, in certain areas, doesn’t have a lot of alternatives,” Daily said. “It’s just a resource issue.”

In answer to some questions posted with the initial drowning story on the Leader website, Bogues responded with an April 22 comment.

“Both police and fire personnel spent a good deal of time (28 minutes) speaking with Mr. Finn about his well-being. His destination was the boat, and without a criminal or medical reason to hold him there is no legal way to restrict his movement,” Bogues wrote.

“A common misconception is that there is a public intoxication law. There is not in the State of Washington nor City of Port Townsend. Boating under the influence laws do not apply to moored vessels,” he added.

Bogues wrote that precautions were made to keep Finn secure once he reached the moored vessel.

“Instead of leaving Mr. Finn to carry on his way, the personnel made the decision to escort him down the floating docks to make sure he was safely in the cabin of the craft, and did tell him to stay inside,” Bogues wrote. “This is a distressing incident and weighs heavily on emergency personnel who sought to assist Mr. Finn in an effort to prevent such an outcome. All of our prayers and deepest condolences go to his family and friends.”

The Leader's online story has drawn a lot of affection for a man known as "Rich" or more recently, of his childhood nickname, "Finn." Those who knew him described his as a son, a friend, a neighbor and a dear, sweet, special person. He was a great actor, funny, creative, attractive and capable of random acts of kindness.

But he also had an addiction that helped him mask a troubled childhood, one friend wrote. "He did some stuff that addicts do that can push people away."

Although he may not have always expressed it well, Rich did appreciate the caring and compassion shown to him here, posted another friend:

"Thank you to everyone who, in your own way, showed Rich Finn that you cared. Though he may not have been the most skilled in being able to receive and benefit from the help he was offered, please know that he remembered and cherished every act of kindness shown toward him. Rich also cherished every opportunity he could find to be of help to others, old and young alike. His unassuming random acts of kindness were his gift to this community. May those of us who feel so inspired to do so take up that gift where Rich left off. In celebration of Rich's Heart of Hearts, let's master the art of random acts of kindness in our community and in the world."

A community potluck memorial is from noon to 5 p.m.., Sunday, April 28 at Chetzemoka Park. 385-4003.