Latest news with #abandonedboats
Washington Post
6 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
Flying boats make for a rare sight as Washington clears an island of derelict vessels by helicopter
OLYMPIA, Wash. — As the owner of a marina, Kate Gervais is used to seeing boats in the water. But for the last couple of days, she's been seeing them in the air. The Washington Department of Natural Resources this week used one of its firefighting helicopters to haul abandoned boats off an uninhabited island in the southernmost reaches of Puget Sound, where the vessels had come to rest after drifting with the currents, and fly them to the mainland to be deconstructed later.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
New bill in Harrisburg could bring harsher penalties to those who abandon boats
New bill in Harrisburg could bring harsher penalties to those who abandon boats New bill in Harrisburg could bring harsher penalties to those who abandon boats New bill in Harrisburg could bring harsher penalties to those who abandon boats A bill in Harrisburg is trying to eliminate the issue of abandoned boats. KDKA-TV has extensively reported on boats being left behind and no one claiming them. Then, after jumping through several hoops, organizations can get them away. Tied up to guide rails, sinking, and discolored are all signs that one abandoned boat has had better days sitting in the Ohio River and rotting away along Neville Island. "The rivers lose a lot of value when they fill up with abandoned boats," Three Rivers Waterkeeper Captain Evan Clark said. Capt. Clark said there are 26 abandoned boats in Allegheny County. He said the current process is time-consuming and expensive. Groups like his must become the new boat owners and then remove it. "It's a big problem. Everyone around here knows it," Rep. Anita Kulik, District 45 (D) said. Rep. Kulik introduced a bill that passed the House and is currently in the Senate to tackle this. It would allow municipalities to remove the boats and get restitution from the owners. It would also give definitions to abandoned boats, at-risk boats, and derelict boats. "What we're trying to do is make it so the owners of these abandoned or derelict boats are held accountable for it," Rep. Kulik said. The boats pose an environmental challenge as oil and fuel can leak into waterways, with the added danger of breaking loose and being a hazard to anyone on the water. Water advocates hope this can eliminate what they see as a constant problem. "It's great. It's going to be great if and when it passes," Capt. Clark said. Her bill also calls for an increase in penalties. If boats cost over $2,500 to remove, it will be a third-degree misdemeanor. It will remain a summary offense if it's less than $2,500. There is also a Senate companion bill to help get this into law if Rep. Kulik's bill stalls.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sunk and abandoned boats recovered from river
Wrecked and abandoned boats sunk in the River Avon near Wiltshire have been recovered, with the last having been removed last week. An operation to recover five boats that had been abandoned by their owners and left to rot and sink in the river as it passes through Bath began in March, but on May 9, was finally completed. The operation near Pulteney Weir in the town centre was carried out by Bath & North East Somerset Council due to the boats posing a hazard to other users of river and a pollution risk to the water. The works were part of the Better Moorings Project which seeks to address a range of mooring-related matters in Bath and North East Somerset. The works were carried out by specialist contractors Strate Marine Services and began on March 15, with the final boat having been removed last week. Recommended reading: New tattoo shop opens its doors in Wiltshire town Major UFO Conference coming to Wiltshire town this year Historic building to be turned into new Wetherspoons as permission granted The council announced the removal of the boats in early March, when councillors said the boats had become a hazard in the waterway and threatened the ecology of the area. The council added that it would be seeking recovery of £72,600 total costs for the removals of the boats once the job had finished. The council says it is seeking to recover the removal costs from the boat owners, who are encouraged to engage with the council at their earliest convenience to minimise additional storage costs. One of the wrecks now recovered from the River Avon. (Image: BANES Council.) Mooring in the Pulteney stretch of the River Avon remains closed due to health and safety concerns. All boat owners moored in the area have been advised of the risks and were encouraged to vacate the area prior to the winter. Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: 'These five boats have been an issue for some time and it's fantastic that the removal operation has been completed. Thank you to residents and businesses in the area for your patience while the works were carried out and to Strate Marine Services and our Better Moorings team, who all worked tirelessly to achieve this positive outcome. 'The removals will ensure the safety of all river users and enhance everyone's enjoyment of this iconic waterway, whilst reducing the levels of artificial waste in the river. 'We advise boat owners to safely moor at recognised and officially open mooring sites, monitor their moorings regularly throughout the winter season, ensure their boats are fit for the water and are fully insured inclusive of salvage.'
CBS News
16-05-2025
- CBS News
Crew moves abandoned boat from St. Croix River island after nearly a year
Hudson officials looking for solution to abandoned boats on St. Croix River Hudson officials looking for solution to abandoned boats on St. Croix River Hudson officials looking for solution to abandoned boats on St. Croix River A boat that's been rusting away on an island in the St. Croix River for almost a year has been moved. Hudson, Wisconsin, officials said on Friday afternoon that the owner of the 54-foot yacht called "Sweet Destiny" had it towed between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Dave Jarvis/St. Croix River Cruises Hudson Chief of Police Geoffrey Willems says the boat was being patched up to make it sea-worthy. City officials have been concerned with the number of boats either beached or abandoned on the river. In October 2024, the City Council passed an ordinance to start fining people hundreds of dollars for abandoning boats. The owner of Sweet Destiny, which had beached on Beer Can Island since last July, was issued at least one fine for $174, according to Willems. The issue also prompted Minnesota lawmakers in April to work on a bill that would make it a misdemeanor to abandon a boat on public lands anywhere in the state.
