Drew Dixon
Floridians who let their vessels go adrift in state waters are closer to facing increased penalties now that a bill hiking fines and other punishments for derelict boats is gaining momentum.
The measure (HB 1149), sponsored by Miami Beach Republican Rep. Fabián Basabe, is now heading to the House floor for a full vote after the chamber’s State Affairs Committee approved it.
Rep. Ashley Gantt, a Miami Democrat, was the only committee member to vote against the bill requiring new registrations for long-term anchoring of vessels through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
The FWC would also issue no-cost permits for long-term anchoring of vessels. The state could also declare a vessel a “public nuisance” if it becomes derelict after repeated citations within a 24-month period.
The measure says boat owners who don’t have a permit would end up facing a “penalty for long-term anchoring without a permit.” Boaters who are repeat offenders could face felony charges, with up to 15 years in prison in extreme cases.
Gantt said that seems a bit “excessive.”
“There can be an imposition of penalties, but sending someone to prison for 15 years is way too much,” Gantt said.
Most of the committee members welcomed the legislation.
Rep. Debbie Mayfield, a Melbourne Republican, said derelict vessels are appearing frequently in the Indian River Lagoon and Intracoastal Waterway along the Space Coast, and the bill is long overdue.
“I can’t tell you how many times they’ve had sailboats sunk and the only thing sticking out (of the water) is the mast,” Mayfield said.
In parts of Mayfield’s district, some municipalities have already taken matters into their own hands and have not waited for state action.
Indian River County, for instance, has a derelict vessel removal program that partners with the FWC to get those boats out of the way and allows residents to report such disabled watercraft.
And municipalities within that county have gotten increasingly aggressive about removing derelict boats, in cities such as Vero Beach and Indian River Shores.
The House bill has a companion measure. The full Senate has already approved that legislation (SB 164), sponsored by Doral Republican Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez.
3 comments
Fu too
April 19, 2025 at 7:18 am
Boats are ruining Florida’s economy making the water look under appealing to money boaters splashing gasoline and oil all over the bay.
Capt Mitch
April 20, 2025 at 8:20 pm
Thats an exageration from a.non boater.
TJC
April 19, 2025 at 12:03 pm
The Florida Legislature has been “working” on this derelict boat problem for decades now. Let’s hope they can do something this time.
It’s all kind of a twist on that old saying about the best day of a man’s life is when he bought a boat, and then his next best day was a few year later when it half-sunk and he could just leave it and forget about it.
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