The sudden closure of a Center Moriches boat yard left dozens of boaters high and dry.

Boaters, like Aubry Birch, of Manorville, found out Tuesday that the V.S.I. Marina on Canal Street was shut down. Birch says he called the boat yard owner's attorney and was told the yard?s operator was in the hospital and the owner was closing the place.

Birch was told he would have to get his boat out by Sunday. He says he doesn?t know how or where he will move his boat.

Ed Engelage, of Center Moriches, has stored his boat at the yard for 10 years. He says the way the closing was handled was unprofessional. Engelage says the owner owes him money, since he paid for the whole season. Birch says the owner not only owes its 60 customers money, but an explanation.