Destruction & Disposal
Local Law
Federal Law
Boats, like many things, have a lifespan. If selling your vessel is no longer an option, or if the cost of continued maintenance and storage fees outweigh the value, owners need a plan to dispose of their vessel. Proper vessel disposal is extremely important as these jobs can involve several environmental hazards such as fuel, oil, solvents, & batteries. Never abandon or sink a vessel to dispose of it. This can lead to major environmental & navigational hazards, and it’s illegal. Let our trained experts take care of the problem for you!
Vessel Disposal Fees
The cost includes labor, landfill disposal, recycling or disposing of used fuel, oil, batteries and other hazardous materials.
Vessels under 24′ – Start at $45.00 per foot
Vessels under 35′ – Start at $75.00 per foot
Vessels under 50′ – Start at $95.00 per foot
Vessels over 50′ – Start at $125.00 per foot
Price does not include marine towing or land transport.
Disposal fees are paid prior to removal.
No exceptions!
Bank Foreclosures / RE Companies / Private properties
The “LEGAL” process required prior to disposal of a abandoned vessel on private property:
- Impoundment ( tow ticket and law enforcement record number)
- Dry / wet storage for 36 days
- Certified mail / notice to vessel owner
- Legal ad, newspaper notice of sale
- Public auction date
Unless we meet this criteria, we can not legally dispose a derelict / abandoned vessel.
Abandoned Vessels
Florida has no salvage law allowing the finder of an abandoned vessel the right of ownership. As a title state, Florida requires a transfer of vessel title from owner to purchaser in order to obtain legal ownership. It is a crime in the state of Florida to take an abandoned vessel without first getting a title to it; doing so is considered theft and could result in fines or even jail time.
Section 705.103, Florida Statutes, states that a person who finds an abandoned vessel and wants to make claim to it, and ultimately title it, must first report it to a law enforcement officer. The law enforcement agency will collect a fee to conduct an investigation and determine the owner of the vessel. If the vessel is not claimed in the process of the investigation, the law enforcement agency may transfer it to the finder with a bill of sale and evidence of the investigation. The finder would then apply to DHSMV to have the title put into his name.
For more information on derelict and abandoned vessels, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission