Local

38-foot boat washes ashore in New Smyrna after engine failure

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — It's still not clear what's going to happen to an abandoned 38-foot boat that washed ashore in in New Smyrna Beach on Volusia County.

Three people were on board when the vessel had engine problems and lost power near the Ponce Inlet. It finally came to rest ashore but hasn't moved since.

The owner's family said it was his home for the last four or five years.

"He is completely devastated," said Patti Mastric, the owner's mother. "He is just kind of like in zombie mode right now. He's in shock. It's just, just really hard for him."

The disaster began Sunday when the owner said he lost an engine and couldn't stay on course. The three people on board and a few animals were rescued shortly after.

"It happened so fast. It was over before he knew it," said Mastric.

The current was so strong it washed the boat out to sea and on to the beach where it continues to get pounded by waves.

The surf blew out a window on the boat and now bystanders can only watch as it fills with water.

"Crazy. Sad. Unfortunate," said surfer Brett Swaim. "It's always sad to see a boat go down, you know."

Coast Guard officials said the vessel is not leaking gas or waste into the environment, but it needs to be moved.

Volusia Beach Safety officials said it's the owner's responsibility, but it will take a crane and tractor-trailer, so the owner may offer up the title to the boat if someone can afford the costly salvage.

"He's got a listing up on Craigslist for it if anybody is interested in looking into that," said Mastric.

The boat owner could be making a deal with a local marine salvage company to get it moved Monday night, Channel 9 learned.