

A Newport Beach man who has been restoring a 72-foot wooden ship in his yard for six years has been ordered to remove the boat or risk going to jail.

The court order is the latest development in a long-running conflict between Dennis Holland, some of his neighbors and city officials, who sued the 65-year-old resident in an effort to have the vintage ship removed.

Holland now has until April 30 to remove the ship from his Holiday Road home, or face fines of up to $1,000 a day, or possibly jail time, according to Deputy City Atty. Kyle Rowen.

Superior Court Judge Gregory Munoz issued a preliminary injunction Thursday and set an April 30 trial date.

Holland has been restoring the Shawnee, a 1916 ketch, in his West Bay neighborhood home for about six years.

Some neighbors support the project, saying it adds a splash of character to the community, while others — including the couple who can see the stern from their bedroom — want it moved to an industrial area.

"We know it's a step in favor of removing that big blight out of the neighborhood," said neighbor Dalia Lugo.

Holland, who said his work was slowed when he underwent cancer treatment, said he needs another three to four years to restore the ship.