Abandoned boats a nautical no-no

By Andrea Koskey, Examiner Staff Writer

San Francisco Examiner
July 19, 2009

Boats abandoned by owners in the economic downturn continue to show up in marinas and along the Bay’s shores, creating environmental issues and costing law enforcement and marina officials time and money.

Redwood City Police Department Capt. Chris Cesena said the expense is just as much of a problem as the boat itself.

“If we find a boat and no one claims it, we are stuck to deal with it,” he said. “It does cost money to destroy it.”

Sejal Choksi, program director with Baykeeper — the San Francisco Bay’s pollution watchdog group — said the slowed economy has forced some owners to cut boats loose because they can no longer afford the extra expense.

“In this economy people are prioritizing differently,” she said. “And a boat isn’t always a priority.”

More boats were abandoned the first three months of this year than all of 2008, according to Choksi.

Boats left anchored just off the shore and outside marinas can leak oil and other toxins, posing possible health problems as well as navigational risks if other boaters are cruising nearby.

“There could be immediate ingestion of fuel and other chemicals if it’s near recreation,” Choksi said. “It poses an environmental issue.”

Removal of the boat can cost tens of thousands of dollars depending on its size, location and whether or not it is submerged.

Proper removal includes the police tagging the boat and watching it to be sure no one comes back to claim it. After a certain amount of time, it can be towed to shore and destroyed.

Local law enforcement, marinas, environmental groups and the Department of Waterways and Boating met in June to discuss ways to prevent abandoned boats — such as creating drop off locations where owners won’t be fined for leaving their vessels.

A bill making its way through the legislature, AB 166 would create such a program...

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