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Hurricane Damaged, Abandoned Boats Article

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by YachtForums, Sep 23, 2004.

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  1. YachtForums, Sep 23, 2004
    #1
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    By IBI Magazine/Michael Verdon

    The county of Palm Beach is prepared to spend up to US$500,000 to dispose of boats sunken and abandoned after Hurricane Frances. Estimates show that between 130 to 180 boats have been abandoned, and county officials are devising a program for owners for removal.

    "There are probably a lot more, but a lot of waters haven't cleared enough," Diane Carhart, a spokeswoman for the Palm Beach County Sherriff's office told the Ft Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel.

    Under the proposed plan, deputies would help sticker abandoned boats. Owners then would have five days to claim their boats. Owners already working with their insurance companies would not have to worry about the county repossessing their boats.

    "Conversely, if we try to reach you and you're missing in action, then we have the right under state law to go and take the boat," said Richard Walesky, county director of Environmental Resources Management.

    The county would have to hire a boat appraiser to determine which boats have value, Walesky said. Valuable boats would be held for 90 days. Those considered valueless would be destroyed and carted off to a landfill, he said.

    Walesky plans to ask Palm Beach local government officials for $250,000 to $500,000 for the program. Most of that money would pay contractors to remove the boats. County officials said they would request $400,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for boat removal. Walesky said he isn't sure the money would be approved.

    John Lennon, dock master at Sailfish Marina on Singer Island, said there are 30 sunken boats near his marina. He said he is in favor of the removal plan. "I'm all for it, absolutely," he told the paper. "I don't like a lot of laws and regulations, but there's too many boats under the water out there."

    (23 September 2004)
  2. Michael Bach, Sep 23, 2004
    #2
    Michael Bach

    Michael Bach New Member

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    Just as we are beginning to process and assess damage to yachts from Hurricane Frances, here we are facing the next one coming down the track. As a representative for a repair and service yacht facility in Palm Beach County, we did not need any of this potential insurance work for this Fall/Winter.

    Now we have fewer docks to secure vessels and more paranoia from boat owners and representatives in preparation for storms. Production on current customers has been set back weeks and we are coming into the busiest part of the season (Pre Ft. Lauderdale Show).

    This is becoming increasingly stressful and frustrating for all aspects of the industry from owners to underwriters to tradesmen, etc.
  3. CTdave, Sep 25, 2004
    #3
    CTdave

    CTdave Senior Member

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    I have a friend with VERY deep pockets & he has asked me about the possibilities of purchacing damaged power vessels from 45-60ish feet.
    Do we start by getting lists from insurance companies?
    What would you suggest?
    Dave
  4. Michael Bach, Sep 28, 2004
    #4
    Michael Bach

    Michael Bach New Member

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    Back on line after the most recent battering...........In answer to your question, boats that are determined as a "write- off" fall into the hands of the underwriter's and if they are deemed to have any value may in turn be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

    The individual insurance surveyor's usually have the best line on what is available under what terms.
  5. YachtForums, Sep 28, 2004
    #5
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    A friend of mine, Sully, owns USAuctions (formerly known as BentBoat). His company specializes in helping insurance companies recover money by auctioning boats via his website. It's an online auction and one of the most popular in the biz. A number of the boats available for bidding can be seen at their Ft. Lauderdale location, allthough many of them are out of state. Click here for more info...

    www.USAuctions.com