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U.S. Coast Guard Crews Continue to Mitigate Pollution Threats From Vessels Displaced By Hurricane Irma

By  //  November 28, 2017

VESSEL REMOVALS STILL ONGOING IN BREVARD

Cleanup efforts and removal operations of displaced vessels are progressing throughout Florida waterways 11 weeks after Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys and impacted Brevard County.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Cleanup efforts and removal operations of displaced vessels are progressing throughout Florida waterways 11 weeks after Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys and impacted Brevard County.

The Unified Command for the response—officially titled Emergency Support Function 10  Florida—consists of leaders from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Currently, 1,968 displaced vessels have been removed from Florida waterways. Approximately 170 people from state and federal agencies are involved in the disaster response.

Responders are prioritizing the removal of vessels based on potential environmental impact.

Vessel owners are encouraged to hire a salvage company to recover their vessels in order to provide the safest removal method possible for the public and environment.

Owners of displaced vessels who lack the resources to have their boat repaired, or if their vessel is determined to be beyond repair, may release ownership of their vessel through a waiver provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

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These updated figures represent a combination of displaced vessels removed from the water by ESF-10 Florida and private owners. These numbers are subject to change as more vessels are identified and removed from the water.

The waiver process can be initiated by contacting FWC through the Vessel Removal Hotline at 305-985-3744 and requesting to turn over a displaced vessel. An FWC representative will then contact the owner to explain the waiver process and facilitate the potential turnover of ownership.

CLICK HERE for owners wishing to remove their own vessels are encouraged to visit the following website for guidelines and best practices.

Cleanup efforts and removal operations of displaced vessels are progressing throughout Florida waterways 11 weeks after Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys.

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