Since July 2024, when Monroe County entered into a $3 million contract with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), county contractors have made significant strides in removing derelict vessels from Florida Keys waters. In the first six months of the contract, 75 vessels have been removed, with another 46 scheduled for removal.
Derelict vessels create significant environmental and economic challenges for the Keys. These abandoned boats pollute water, obstruct navigation and endanger marine life, while the financial burden of addressing these issues often falls on taxpayers.
This initiative, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is focused on improving water quality and enhancing public safety throughout the Keys.
“We are deeply grateful for the hard work and dedication of FWC officers and the exceptional efforts of the derelict vessel removal contractors,” said Brittany Burtner, senior administrator of the Monroe County Marine Resources Office. “The officers’ commitment to identifying and investigating abandoned vessels, paired with the contractors’ expertise in removing these hazards, has been essential to this remarkable progress.”
The cleanup efforts have spanned the entire Florida Keys, with notable progress in:
- Key Largo and Islamorada: 23 derelict vessels removed
- Marathon: 34 derelict vessels removed
- Boca Chica Basin: 19 derelict vessels removed
- Key West: 32 derelict vessels removed
Officials say this initiative, combined with the creation of new mooring fields to provide secure anchoring options, will help prevent future abandonments and ensure the waterways of the Florida Keys remain cleaner and safer for all.
