Sinking Boat

Across the canal from my apartment, this sinking dinghy is tied up. It has been since I moved in. Nothing's changed about it; it stays in relatively the same location, with the same proportionate amount of it above and below the water, even that wooden chest has been there the whole time.

I'm intrigued by its presence. Who's is it? How did it end up half sunk? Why hasn't it been righted? What, for heaven's sake, is in that wooden chest?

It's a mystery!