A 96-foot derelict submarine nestled in the mangroves of Boot Key made its final journey to shore this week.
In what the county dubbed “one of the most unusual and challenging projects” in the program’s history, crews with Monroe County’s derelict vessel removal program pulled the sub from the island’s internal canals on Aug. 11.
The operation was completed safely and efficiently by a pre-qualified marine contractor under the coordination of the Monroe County Marine Resources Office, a press release said.
“Derelict vessels, whether a small skiff or a massive submarine, pose serious threats to the environment, boater safety and navigation,” said the county’s senior administrator for marine resources, Brittany Burtner. “Removing this submarine is not only a win for our waterways, but also a reminder of the importance of prevention.”
According to a 2008 report from the Associated Press, Marathon resident Duane Shelton purchased the windowless 100-ton pressure vessel from a Chicago scrapyard for roughly $10,000 in 1997, bringing it to Boot Key by “train, truck and barge.”
His original plan, the report said, was to mount cameras outside the hull and screens inside, motorizing the capsule and eventually using it to offer commercial tours.
That plan never materialized, however, as Shelton reportedly told the AP that the federal permit to operate the sub as a business would cost more than $750,000. His backup plan at the time was to bring the sub down to Honduras to offer tours, he said.
Fifteen years later, still without a valid Florida title or means of propulsion, the sub was declared a derelict vessel in October 2023. According to court records, Shelton told FWC his plan was to have the sub removed by a Tampa-based salvage company, but had no set date for the removal.
One month later, Shelton pleaded no contest to the derelict vessel charge and was handed a $1,200 fine with 12 months of probation, which he successfully completed.
The submarine is the latest entry in a strong push by Monroe County and FWC to clean up Keys waterways littered with derelict vessels, which pose a significant threat to navigation, marine life and the delicate sea floor in nearshore habitats.
Through the first six months of 2025, their efforts have pulled 134 vessels from waters throughout the island chain.
Boat owners whose vessels are at risk of becoming derelict are encouraged to surrender them and avoid legal challenges via FWC’s Vessel Turn-In Program. More information is at myfwc.com/boating/waterway/vtip/.
Two significant upcoming derelict vessel removals include a shrimp boat off Islamorada and the grounded boat off Bahia Honda State Park, which can be seen from U.S. 1. Both are scheduled for removal in the next week, weather permitting, the county said.
