17 More Abandoned Boats To Be Removed
The Government is advising that an “additional 17 abandoned and derelict boats – owners unknown – will shortly be removed from the water and disposed of. ”
A Government spokesperson said, “The Ministry of Transport, Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR] and the Department of Marine and Ports Services are advising the public that an additional 17 abandoned and derelict boats – owners unknown – will shortly be removed from the water and disposed of. This is in addition to the recent notice to remove 37 abandoned vessels.
“The joint programme to remove the vessels is a partnership between Government and Keep Bermuda Beautiful [KBB] in accordance with an MOU signed by the Minister of Transport.
“The additional 17 ‘unknown’ abandoned and derelict vessels are located in the Boaz Island, 9-Beaches, Ely’s Harbour, Morgan’s Hill Beach [Ely’s Harbour], Frank’s Bay, and Jews Bay areas are not only unsightly but also present a hazard to other motoring vessels.
“Government cannot currently find any characteristic names or boat registration details on many of these abandoned and derelict boats.
“However, if you are the owner of any of these boats, you have 30 days from today’s date February 17, 2022 to remove your vessel from its current location and relocate it to a site that does not contravene the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 2002, the Marine Board Act 1962, the Marine & Ports Authority [Dumping] Regulations 1967 or any other law of Bermuda.
“Should you wish to identify to Government whether any of these vessels belong to you then you can voluntarily agree to allow the Ministry to dispose of it at no cost to you by completing a consent form and returning it to the Department of Marine & Ports Services. You can contact the Department of Marine & Ports Services to obtain the consent form which will also be posted on the Government website www.gov.bm.
“However, if you do not respond within 30 days from today February 17, 2022, your vessel may be disposed of, and if the vessel identity is subsequently determined upon recovery, then the costs incurred as a result of said disposal may be payable by you.
“Pursuant to the Marine & Ports Authority [Dumping] Regulations 1967, the Minister of Transport may direct the disposal of any vessel which has been abandoned and is likely to become unsightly or impede the free navigation of the territorial waters of Bermuda.
“In doing so, the Minister may direct that the person responsible for the abandonment of the vessel be liable for the costs associated with the disposal of the vessel. The Ministry of Public Works will provide the disposal site and the disposal of hazardous wastes that are removed from each vessel.
“For all abandoned or derelict boats where the owner is known, Government will be contacting those boat owners in due course, prior to the boats’ removal.
“For more information, please contact pollutioncontrol@gov.bm and the official notice is posted at www.gov.bm/theofficialgazette/notices.”
The full Vessel Details Document follows below [PDF here]:
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Category: All, Environment, News
Good on the KBB, which no doubt pushed Government into action, for the clean up. Some of those boats must date back to Fabian in 2003. Most of them are victims of more recent storms.
Unbelievable that M&P cannot trace some of these boats. Bermuda is a small place. Surely the boat names & descriptions can be searched on in their files.These owners need to be traced & billed for the removal of their trash.
If it does not already exist legislation needs to be enacted banning any of these owners from registering a boat or owning a mooring until outstanding wreck removal costs are paid.
Fully agree, boat owners should be liable for any costs. Also needing attention are channel markers and signage which have been left to deteriorate over the years. M & P need to fix this especially all the no wake signs and markers in Elys Harbour, the gateway to the west. There used to be a ‘No Fishing within 100 metres’ sign on HMS Vixen but that disappeared years ago and was never replaced. Locals generally know this but tourists may not!
“Some of those boats must date back to Fabian in 2003.”
I will not argue that point, but the exodus of 2007/2008 must also be taken into account … as well as the fact that not every boat purchaser registers with M&P (or wants to)