BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Derelict vessels are a constant threat along the Indian River Lagoon in Brevard County, and commissioners are expected to approve grant funding that will remove some of the biggest hazards.
But Channel 9's Melonie Holt learned that it will take care of only part of the problem.
Boater Joseph Kirk travels the lagoon often and knows where a lot of the derelict vessels are in Lee Wenner Park in Cocoa, and he's concerned for safety reasons.
"(We've) got kids that play in the park," Kirk said. "They might want to run down there and check it out. 'Hey, there's a boat on the shore.' (They) might get hurt."
Some of the boats are barely visible from the shoreline but still pose a hazard to both fishermen and boaters.
"(I've been) working for the county for eight years, and we've taken out 150. As soon as we think we've cleared almost everything in the waterways in the span of a year, we end up with 10 or 20 more," said Matt Culver of the Brevard Boating and Waterways program.
The county is now hoping to move at least eight of the 25 derelict vessels with money from grants and fees.
The county is also working with Florida Fish and Wildlife and the Sheriff's Office to try to contact other boat owners before their vessels sink.
"We're trying to note vessels that may be in distress ahead of time so law enforcement can give those owners a call or try to track them down," Culver said.
Culver said it's a lot easier to move one of the vessels while they're still afloat, and cheaper, too.
To move the eight boats, county leaders are expected to approve a $30,000 grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District.
Leaders would also use another $10,000 from boat registration fees to pay for the project.
WFTV
