New procedures for dumping boat

There is an old adage that recounts the happiest days in the life of a boat owner as being “The day you buy it, and the day you get rid of it.”

And sometimes, what happens in between the two leaves the owner so tired of the whole mess that the final stage never officially happens.

That’s when the boat becomes a liability for any number of agencies, particularly in the Florida Keys where boats are more prevalent than other areas and land is more scarce for disposing of the vessels.

If the boat isn’t disposed of by the owner, it becomes either a derelict vessel (on the water) or a case of illegal dumping (on land) that some agency has to deal with.

Either way the taxpayer eventually foots the bill.

In the case of derelict vessels, the process involves Monroe County and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Illegally dumped vessels usually fall back on the county by way of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Vessel owners can always take their worn-out boats to one of the three county landfills to dispose of them, for a fee of 6.4 cents per pound.

A typical 18-foot boat hull can cost upwards of $125 to dispose of.

When vessel owners find that charge too excessive, they stash the old hull somewhere. In the Lower Keys, the National Key Deer Refuge winds up being a favorite disposal spot.

“We probably deal with a dozen or more abandoned vessels every year on refuge property,” said Anne Morkill, refuge manager.

That’s a minor number compared with the 100 or so vessels Monroe County deals with each year.

But if cost is a factor in whether owners properly dispose of boats, that cost can be covered for them.

“In an effort to assist citizens with the disposal of their unwanted vessels, and deter abandoned vessels, the county may waive the disposal fees,” says Rich Jones, county marine resources coordinator.

The process begins with a call to the marine resources office at 289-2500 in Marathon.

“The vessel owner will need to follow a few simple steps,” said Jones.

Folks who want to take advantage of the program will first complete a Release for Disposal form with the marine resources office. They must then agree to surrender the boat’s title.

“This ensures that the state is able to close out the title for the boat and protects the county from any liability,” said Jones.

Boats must typically be titled in Florida and must be registered to the person requesting the disposal waiver, according to Jones.

Instead of the boat owner paying the disposal fees, the fees are paid from boating improvement funds, says Jones. Boating improvement funds are derived from vessel registration fees. The funds are the money source for elimination of derelict vessels, some boat ramp work, and in placing and maintaining aides to navigation.

The county is responsible for navigation aides to and from its residential canals.

“The time and expense involved in removing abandoned vessels, just from refuge property, is extensive,” said Morkill. “This program makes it easier for people to get rid of unwanted boats some way other than dropping them off in some remote area.”

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