Derelict boats being removed from waterfront

Since early November the City of Miami has allowed the Seminole Boat Ramp in Coconut Grove and the Watson Island Boat Ramp to be used as staging areas for sunken vessels damaged by Hurricane Irma. These operations are run by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Once the sunken boats are on land there's a waiting period to try to locate the owners before the boats can be destroyed.

For safety reasons and to consolidate these operations, the vessels in Coconut Grove are being transported to the staging area on Watson Island. The City of Miami Department of Real Estate and Asset Management (DREAM) is coordinating this transfer which should be completed no later than Monday, February 5th. The Seminole Boat Ramp will then be reopened to the public.

"The City is grateful to these federal and state agencies that have removed more than 200 sunken vessels from surrounding waterways. It's a monumental task that's ongoing," said Daniel Rotenberg Director of DREAM.

The City of Miami will continue to work with USCG and FWC to help bring the final phase of this operation to a close.