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Derelict & Abandoned Vessels
To report a potential derelict or abandoned vessel, please contact the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) dispatch at (888) 404-3922
Thousands of boaters enjoy the waters of the Keys each year. However, some boat owners neglect their vessels, leaving them anchored to become derelict or abandoned. These vessels often pose environmental or navigational hazards and must be removed at the taxpayer's expense.
The Monroe County Marine Resources Office collaborates with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies to remove derelict vessels. Law enforcement personnel notify boat owners, who may face fines or jail time if they do not take corrective action. If all efforts to locate and hold the boat owner accountable fail, the vessel is referred to the Marine Resources Office for removal.
Each year, the Marine Resources Office removes an average of 75 derelict vessels using pre-qualified marine contractors who competitively bid for each job. Removal of these vessels costs over $800,000 annually, funded by the County and the FWC’s Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program. Law enforcement diligently works to recover these expenses from the vessel owner through court-ordered restitution. Additionally, they have the authority to place a title freeze on the vessel to prevent its sale to an unsuspecting buyer and restrict individuals convicted of owning a derelict vessel from registering another vehicle or vessel until they repay the removal expenses.
To reduce the number of derelict vessels, Monroe County supports various preventative initiatives. In 2017, the Florida Legislature introduced the At-Risk Vessel Program to notify vessel owners that their vessels might be at risk of becoming derelict. The FWC oversees the Vessel Turn-in Program (VTIP), which helps vessel owners dispose of their at-risk vessels at no cost before they become derelict. Additionally, Monroe County supports other management objectives to address broader boating-related issues. Though challenging, this issue can be managed through education, prevention, and enforcement measures.