Catamaran washes ashore

[Beachlover2]

Over the last week there has been a catamaran anchored off the beach. Well Friday waves gave it a beating and it started to sink. I called the coast guard but they didn't
seem to do anything. Saturday morning most of the boat was ashore right near the Okaloosa /Sowal Cty line. Part can still be seen in the water about 100 feet offshore. For the last two days the BSW guys have been working on breaking up this boat and hauling it away. When I questioned them about whose it was they thought it belonged to a guy who has a place right there. When I asked if they are going to charge him for their time - they just laughed. Im I wrong or should the owner be paying the bill to clean the beach up. He will probably file a claim on this piece of crap. He had it anchored right where the waves broke and every wave flooded the bow.

[jodiFL]

Im I wrong or should the owner be paying the bill to clean the beach up.
Well they cant very well charge this person or they would be charging every person that has a walkover, deck etc. that breaks up during a storm. But if they DONT clean it up people will be complaining about them leaving crap on the beach.

[wrobert]

Over the last week there has been a catamaran anchored off the beach. Well Friday waves gave it a beating and it started to sink. I called the coast guard but they didn't
seem to do anything. Saturday morning most of the boat was ashore right near the Okaloosa /Sowal Cty line. Part can still be seen in the water about 100 feet offshore. For the last two days the BSW guys have been working on breaking up this boat and hauling it away. When I questioned them about whose it was they thought it belonged to a guy who has a place right there. When I asked if they are going to charge him for their time - they just laughed. Im I wrong or should the owner be paying the bill to clean the beach up. He will probably file a claim on this piece of crap. He had it anchored right where the waves broke and every wave flooded the bow.

I thought that recent changes in law made him financially responsible. But then someone would have had to come out and document the thing. He will probably just make a claim for insurance and that will be passed along to rest of us.

[wrobert]

Well they cant very well charge this person or they would be charging every person that has a walkover, deck etc. that breaks up during a storm. But if they DONT clean it up people will be complaining about them leaving crap on the beach.

They could have charged people, they just chose not too.

[jodiFL]

They could have charged people, they just chose not too.
I didnt realize the TDC had the authority to charge anyone anything to clean the beach. I thought they could just haul it off.

[wrobert]

I didnt realize the TDC had the authority to charge anyone anything to clean the beach. I thought they could just haul it off.


If the BCC can establish the authority to charge you to access the beach and to charge you to bring your dog on the beach, then they could certainly establish in their ordinance a charge for cleaning your stuff from the beach, if they so choose to do so. But it is a whole lot easier to take dollars from people that have little to no voice than to establish a fair system where those that actually cause the services to be used get to pay for them.

[jodiFL]

But it is a whole lot easier to take dollars from people that have little to no voice than to establish a fair system where those that actually cause the services to be used get to pay for them.
Pretty sure that IS the case right now. I can just about guarantee that there is more tourist trash on the beach than storm damaged sailboats.

[Beachlover2]

This was about a 30 foot catamaran. They are breaking it apart with sledge hammers to get rid of it. This is no small project - they have been at it for 2 days already.

[wrobert]

This was about a 30 foot catamaran. They are breaking it apart with sledge hammers to get rid of it. This is no small project - they have been at it for 2 days already.


And they have no way of knowing who owns these things?

[jodiFL]

All I can say is that the poor guys are just doing their job...they dont make the rules, they just clean up the beach. And we, as citizens, dont pay for them to do what they were doing. For all we know it could be a job that could have been done in a few hours and they are "doin the dog" and making it last a few days so they can ogle the springbreakers. Geezzz... As far it it being someones boat and we are ASSUMING that the owner doesnt care about it getting destroyed etc....and are just sitting there waiting for a entity to clean up after them while they collect an insurance check...come on folks...the guys working for the TDC dont really know WHO it belongs to. Why is this bothering anyone? The mess is being cleaned up....the guys are working and getting a paycheck....they laughed when asked about who was paying for their time (like THEY care) so it must not have been TOO MUCH of a strain....as far as I am concerned...its NOT MY boat..I dont sign their checks, nor does it come out of tax money I pay..its NONE OF my business. I am just glad to see that local people HAVE A JOB and ARE DOING IT. How long would it take any of you to complain about the boat (or pieces of a boat) sitting there for a month or two while "the owner" waited to finalize insurance claims? Get over it.
</end rant>

[wrobert]

All I can say is that the poor guys are just doing their job...they dont make the rules, they just clean up the beach. And we, as citizens, dont pay for them to do what they were doing. For all we know it could be a job that could have been done in a few hours and they are "doin the dog" and making it last a few days so they can ogle the springbreakers. Geezzz... As far it it being someones boat and we are ASSUMING that the owner doesnt care about it getting destroyed etc....and are just sitting there waiting for a entity to clean up after them while they collect an insurance check...come on folks...the guys working for the TDC dont really know WHO it belongs to. Why is this bothering anyone? The mess is being cleaned up....the guys are working and getting a paycheck....they laughed when asked about who was paying for their time (like THEY care) so it must not have been TOO MUCH of a strain....as far as I am concerned...its NOT MY boat..I dont sign their checks, nor does it come out of tax money I pay..its NONE OF my business. I am just glad to see that local people HAVE A JOB and ARE DOING IT. How long would it take any of you to complain about the boat (or pieces of a boat) sitting there for a month or two while "the owner" waited to finalize insurance claims? Get over it.
</end rant>

Sheesh! Sorry I even said anything. I really did think that they changed the laws on salvage after a boat sunk on 331 at the bay field and may very well still be there. I spoke to one of the FWC officers about it and he said he had been working for over a year to get it removed and the owner to pay for the cleanup.

As for the tax money comment. Rather you think you pay it or not, dollars that go to the TDC are YOUR tax money. They are not expended without the permission of the BCC. And if they are expended wisely, their will be dollars left for replacing blue signs, building more accesses, and restoring beaches. But not go to be any if all the money goes to cleaning up abandoned boats.

[jodiFL]

I really did think that they changed the laws on salvage after a boat sunk on 331 at the bay field and may very well still be there. I spoke to one of the FWC officers about it and he said he had been working for over a year to get it removed and the owner to pay for the cleanup.
I can tell you that the salvage laws in Florida will take ALOT more than one decrepit house boat on Choctawhatchee Bay to to change. There are possibly BILLIONs of dollars at stake when it comes to salvaging boats along these shores and one county isnt going to be able to change them without a fight from some very heavy-weight treasure hunters. Nor will the state of Florida give up their cut for some beat up catamaran in Miramar Bch.
EDIT: here is a link for some info regarding the Coast Guard and towing/salvage of recreational vehicles.........http://www.safesea.com/boating_info/salvage/anderson/intro.html

[SHELLY]

Insurance companies are gearing up for the probability that more "assets" will meet with "unforeseen accidents."


.

[jodiFL]

Insurance companies are gearing up for the probability that more "assets" will meet with "unforeseen accidents."


.
I can understand that.Being that alot of folks that bought that "beach house" (that just didnt look right without the boat in the yard) but now cant pay for the HOUSE,let alone a boat. But that article clears up alot of misconceptions about what an insurance company is liable for and what the owner is liable for.

[Smiling JOe]

Aren't all boats required to have registration numbers?

[jodiFL]

Aren't all boats required to have registration numbers?
Sailboats (no power) under 16' do not have to be registered. ANY boat with a motor has to be.