PHOTO COURTESY FWCThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission yesterday announced that its Vessel Turn-In Program successfully recovered two vessels this month from Pasco and Pinellas counties. Launched in late 2022, the program has received 28 applications from owners of at-risk or unwanted boats.
“We hope that vessel owners will take advantage of this process,” Phil Horning, VTIP administrator, said in a statement. “It is an easy and free way to have their at-risk vessels removed from waters of the state before the vessel becomes derelict and the owner faces potential legal action.”
To qualify for the program, a boat must be floating in the state of Florida and can’t already be determined derelict by law enforcement. The owner must have at least one written warning or citation for an at-risk condition and possess a clear title to the vessel. Click here to read the Florida statute.
The first two vessels removed each received prior warnings. The 1972 40-foot Uniflite cabin cruiser removed from Pasco County was taking on water without an effective means to dewater. The 1985 26-foot Tanzer sailboat removed from Pinellas County broke loose or was in danger of breaking loose from its anchor.
The FWC is taking applications for the Vessel Turn-In Program. Boat owners can call VTIP specialists at the FWC at 850-488-5600 or find more information on the FWC website.
