Florida Cracks Down on Derelict Boat Owners with Stricter Penalties

New Penalties for Derelict Boats in Florida

• ⚠️ Derelict boats have long been an eyesore and safety hazard along Florida's coast.
• 💡 Following Hurricane Milton, enhanced penalties are now in place to hold boat owners accountable.

Enforcement and Removal Process

• ⚓ In Sarasota, marine patrol successfully removed a 26-ft center console boat that had been partially sunk for over three years.
• 💰 A grant from the West Coast Inland Navigational District (WCIND) funded the removal, and the owner will be charged with a misdemeanor public nuisance.
• 🚫 If the owner fails to repay the removal costs, a registration status hold will be placed on their license, preventing renewal of any vehicle registration in Florida.

Environmental and Safety Hazards

• 🌊 Over 700 derelict vessels were reported in Florida since June of last year, posing significant risks.
• ☣️ These hazards include batteries, oils, and raw sewage, which can be dangerous.
• 🚤 Submerged or partially submerged boats also present a critical collision hazard for other boaters.

Legal Consequences for Owners

• ⚖️ Law enforcement's first approach is to work with owners, but they will act under the law if owners refuse to respond.
• 📜 The first offense for a derelict boat owner is a misdemeanor, escalating to a felony for subsequent offenses.
• 🔒 A title hold is placed on derelict vessels, preventing owners from canceling registration or selling the boat to an unsuspecting buyer.