SARASOTA, Fla. — Derelict boats were already an issue of major concern in our area before the recent hurricanes. But after the storms, many more boats were displaced and ended up in our waterways.
Officials say this has made it more challenging for boaters to navigate, and now the state is stepping in right away to remove them before they create more problems. It's part of their overall post-storm recovery being carried out under the Florida Debris Clean-Up program
"I see a lot of boats all over the place makes me want to get a towboat and go confiscate him," said Jason Pryor, a Sarasota electrician.
Officials with the Sarasota Police Marine Unit say they, along with partners, estimate more than 300 boats were recently dislodged or displaced by the hurricanes in Sarasota County alone. While some needed retrieval and repairs, others were a total loss or certified derelict.
"There's a lot. Neighbors' boats in people's yards still have boats on sidewalks up on 41. There are boats also in the Selby Gardens area, boats in mangroves, so it's not just your typical being hard aground. I mean they are out of the water aground," said Officer Ron Dixon with the Sarasota Police Marine Unit.
Dixon said many boat owners did the right thing to prepare for the hurricanes. However, the force of the storm surge and winds was just too powerful to withstand.
"They had their vessels tied down, but as whole docks failed, the whole lift systems failed due to the winds and the crushing water. We've seen a lot of docks that weren't all destroyed, but they're all just wavy and lifted up," Dixon said.
The sights of the derelict boats on the roadsides, including one lodged into the dock at the still-closed O'Leary's restaurant, have stunned many folks walking or driving by.
"They should turn that into part of their decor," Pryor said.
Officials are also reminding boaters to be vigilant and observe the waters below for not just submerged vessels but pieces of dock and other debris.
"That's all your propeller system. Normally it's bolted on. It'll just get ripped right off if you hit a piling at speed," Dixon said.
According to Dixon, some removals which could also involve mobilizing a crane can cost up to $40,000. Such cost, he said, may not be able to be covered by some insurance policies, hence the state is forced to step in to protect the environment.
Local contractors engaged by the state have already removed nearly 200 dislodged and derelict boats in impacted areas, and Florida Fish And Wildlife has also activated dive teams to help remove boats out of the waterways.
"They're all marked with buoys and caution tapes. Everybody's on it. All these guys are awesome, and they know that we need to get these waterways back open to where we were, you know, prior to the storms," Dixon said.
Owners have 45 days from when their vessels have been tagged to get them removed themselves, otherwise the Department of Environmental Protection will step in and dispose of them.
The public can report displaced vessels to 888‐404‐3922 or report lost or sunken vessels by calling FWC at 850‐488‐5600.