Nearly 900 derelict boats have been left in Florida’s waterways since 2020, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). These vessels, often sunken or abandoned, pose both environmental and safety risks across the state.

Stephanie Price, who manages an RV park near Fort Myers Beach, encountered the problem firsthand. “One of them, you didn’t even see until low tide — just the tip of the mast showed,” she told WUSF. “That was a real danger to boaters.”

In response to growing concerns, Florida lawmakers have passed a bill aimed at curbing the issue. The legislation, now awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature, would penalize boat owners who abandon derelict vessels and require them to cover the cost of removal.

“Derelict and at-risk vessels that are left on Florida’s waters threaten public safety,” said Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, R-Doral. “They harm the environment and are costly to remove.”

The cost to remove all abandoned boats statewide is estimated to be between $10 million and $20 million. Currently, removal expenses are covered by a mix of state funding, local governments, and occasionally, boat owners.

The bill would also create a long-term anchoring permit system managed by the FWC. Boat owners wishing to anchor in one location for more than 30 days within a six-month period would need a permit. Additionally, anyone who refuses to pay for removing a derelict vessel would be prohibited from registering another boat or vehicle.

“We try to work with boat owners to bring their vessels into compliance or get them removed,” said Bradley Johnson, an FWC spokesperson. “That helps lower the burden on taxpayers.”

But not all owners can be tracked down. In over 130 documented cases, the derelict vessel had no identifiable hull number.

FWC currently operates a grant program to help counties fund vessel removals, but when those funds fall short, local governments absorb the remaining costs to remove these boats. For instance, from 2018 to 2024, the West Coast Inland Navigation District—which spans Lee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Manatee counties—spent about $1.3 million removing derelict boats, covering more than half the cost themselves.

In just two of the district’s 187 cases did the owner remove their vessel.

Derelict boats also raise legal and environmental concerns. “You’ve got vessels with fuel and oil in them, left unmaintained,” said Philip Purcell, CEO of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida. “They can break loose, damage other boats, or drift onto private property.”

At Price’s RV park, she feared boaters could hit the submerged vessels, potentially damaging their own boats—or worse, getting hurt.

Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

PIE-Sun.com: local St. Pete-Clearwater news