City Councilman Fred Jones has provided an update regarding the status of four derelict vessels in Sebastian, Florida.
Jones serves as the city’s representative for the Beach and Shoreline Preservation Advisory Committee. He underscored the time and financial burden of the vessel removal operation, stressing the importance of following the law and procedures.
Despite these challenges, Jones remains optimistic about the possibility of clearing all four vessels from the Indian River Lagoon and St. Sebastian River by year-end, as long as everything goes as planned.
Derelict vessels abandoned in our local waterways often involve a time-consuming process to identify and locate the owners, a task undertaken by state authorities. Sometimes, they are unable to identify the owners due to missing serial numbers on the watercraft.
While some boats are discarded following a bad storm, others are left deliberately.
Here are some photos of the four vessels that will be removed:
Not on the list is a recently abandoned sailboat boat in the waters between Captain Hirams and Squid Lips, which is in the cover photo of this article.
Derelict vessels pose significant risks, including harm to aquatic ecosystems in the Indian River Lagoon, threats to public safety, and potential damage to property from drifting on or below the water’s surface. Moreover, these neglected vessels can obstruct navigable channels, creating hazards for navigation.
The Beach and Shore Preservation Advisory Committee supports the Board of County Commissioners by undertaking research and proposing initiatives for the conservation of beaches and shores. It also recommends strategies for the Board to address issues covered by Chapter 161 of the Florida Statutes.
A derelict vessel is classified based on the following criteria:
- Found in a wrecked, junked, or significantly dismantled state in any of Florida’s waters.
- A “wrecked” vessel is one that is either sunken or in the process of sinking; grounded with no possibility of self-recovery without mechanical help; or left behind following a maritime incident, such as a boating accident, severe weather event, or fire.
- A “junked” vessel is identified by its substantial lack of essential components, deterioration or destruction of these components, or abandonment by its owner or operator.
- A vessel is considered “substantially dismantled” if it lacks, has compromised, incomplete, non-functioning, or broken elements in at least two of the following areas: steering system, propulsion system, or exterior hull integrity.
- Note: Merely attaching an outboard motor to a vessel that is already classified as junked or significantly dismantled does not change its status unless the motor effectively serves as a means of propulsion, as mandated by 327.4107(2)(e), F.S. and related regulations.
- Moored at any Florida port without the port authority’s permission.
- Docked, grounded, or washed ashore on someone else’s property without the owner’s consent.
Sebastian Daily will provide ongoing updates on the progress of removing derelict vessels.
