( CNN ) -- A Seattle man has been charged with insurance fraud for allegedly sinking his own yacht because of `` financial pressure and frustration with the maintenance '' of the vessel , authorities said . The Jubilee sank in Puget Sound Bay last year . On March 22 , 2008 , Brian Lewis , 50 , scuttled the Jubilee in the Puget Sound Bay , then rowed a borrowed dinghy back to shore , according to court documents filed in February by prosecutors in King County , Washington . Later that day , Lewis boarded a flight to take him to his job in Kodiak , Alaska , as a petty officer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , according to court documents . Three days later , Lewis filed an insurance claim with USAA Insurance reporting the Jubilee sank accidentally `` due to unknown causes . '' However , due to environmental concerns , the Washington State Department of Natural Resources salvaged the vessel at a cost to the state of $ 2,866 . An inspection found a hole was drilled into the bottom of the Jubilee , and that two main engine sea strainers appeared to have been broken with a hammer . `` The vessel appeared to have been deliberately sunk , '' authorities said in their probable cause affidavit . Confronted by investigators , Lewis admitted he intentionally sank his vessel , saying the financial strain `` caused him extreme anxiety and frustration . '' Lewis told investigators `` the engine trouble he experienced caused him to lose his temper . In his rage , he smashed the sea strainers with a hammer and drilled the hole to sink the vessel , '' the affidavit said . `` [ He ] wanted to clarify that his motive for sinking the vessel was anger and frustration , not greed , '' it added . Prior to its sinking , the Jubilee had been listed for sale with Mahina Yachts for $ 28,500 . Jack Bateman , a broker with Mahina , remembers the Jubilee as a `` beautiful '' 1967 Chris Craft Cavalier . He said the Mahina has only seen this type of case one other time in its 30 years of operation . `` This is a very rare , not common occurrence '' he says . Bateman added that Mahina has yet to see any real distress sales due to the bad economy . The King County Prosecutor 's Office has charged Lewis with making a fraudulent insurance claim . Lewis filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2004 . Messages left for him were not returned .
Insurance fraud charges were filed against Seattle man accused of sinking yacht . Brian Lewis ' claim saying Jubilee sank ` ` due to unknown cause '' Inspection found hole was drilled into bottom of vessel . Lewis pleaded with authorities he sank yacht out of anger and frustration .