The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has removed an abandoned boat from the Manatee River. The boat was parked in a parking lot across from the Green Bridge fishing pier.
After Hurricane Ian, boats littered Florida’s waterways and were sometimes left in rubble on land.
Category 4 Ian has moved thousands of boats, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The agency is contacting owners and insurance companies as part of cleanup efforts.
Here’s what you need to know about derelict boats and your options for recovering them.
What is an abandoned ship?
According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, a boat is considered derelict if it is damaged and abandoned in public waters or on private property without the owner’s consent.
Abandoned and derelict ships can cost Florida taxpayers millions in removal and disposal, pollute water, damage marine habitats and threaten the safety of sailors.
How can a derelict boat be removed?
According to the FWC, Floridians will have until Nov. 15 (45 days after Ian) to either remove the derelict vessel or place it in non-derelict status, allowing them to follow normal derelict vessel cases. avoided.
If the boat is unrepairable, the state can give it up and remove it. Contact the FWC and a representative will guide you through the waiver process and initiate the transfer of ownership.
There is also an option to keep the ship. However, you’ll have to hire a private salvage company or do it yourself if it’s safe to do so. As of 2013, it is not necessary to request a permit to remove an abandoned vessel as long as it does not harm the environment. You must ask for permission to remove it if it is likely to cause harm. Otherwise, you may face fines or prosecution.
The state also has a debris cleanup program to help Hurricane Ian survivors evacuate and remove abandoned titled property. Visit IanDebrisCleanup.com to request debris removal for vehicles, boats, motorcycles, trailers, ATVs and more.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
You will be opening a normal derelict ship case. The good news is that the FWC has no plans to prosecute the derelict ship’s owner for criminal activity – at least not yet.
But don’t get too comfortable. The Fish and Wildlife Service may hold owners responsible for removal, destruction and disposal costs.
Also note that Florida has no salvage laws and may give ownership to anyone who finds an abandoned boat. There may be
How can you dispose of your boat?
There are ways to dispose of derelict boats illegally, some of which carry prison terms and fines. Intentionally dumping a boat in Florida waters can result in up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, community service, probation or parole, and even loss of registration rights.
Submerging a boat as an artificial reef or drifting and discarding it without approval from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Army Corps of Engineers can result in a felony dumping charge.
It is also illegal to hoist a vessel onto a boat ramp and leave it there, moor it without maintenance, burn it in open water, or give it to someone else without properly transferring title and ownership.
Are there any local resources available?
▪ For Miami, Miami-Dade County Environmental Resources Management partners with the FWC and other marine law enforcement agencies to document and remove derelict vessels. To report an abandoned boat, call the County Environmental Complaint Desk at 305-372-6955, email baywatch@miamidade.gov, or use the online form.
▪ for the key, the Monroe County Department of Marine Resources is partnering with FWC, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies to remove derelict vessels. You can call the office at 305-289-2805. A list of local contractors is also available on the office website.
▪ For Bradenton, the Manatee County Marine Resources Program monitors lost and abandoned boats on county waterways. You can call your county natural resources department at extension 941-748-4501 to make a report. 6008.
Where can I get more information?
For questions regarding vessel removal or recovery in Florida, please call FWC’s Hurricane Ian Vessel Hotline at 850-488-5600. You can also report a storm damaged, lost or abandoned boat and call our hotline to initiate the exemption process.
