The West Coast Inland Navigation District is still working on the removal of boats made derelict by Hurricane Ian nearly two years ago.
Another dozen boats have recently been removed or are in the process of being removed, but the activity depends on funding.
Grant applications have been submitted for $1 million for general derelict vessel removal and $4.7 million for 115 boats specifically identified for removal, WCIND Executive Director Justin McBride said at a board meeting Friday.
It’s too soon to know how many vessels Tropical Storm Debby may have made derelict, he said.
It’s a problem in Lee, Charlotte and Manatee counties, but not in Sarasota County, he said.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has a program under which boat owners can voluntarily surrender their vessel at no charge and avoid any legal consequences of being cited for posing a risk to public safety, he said.
“We never seem to lack for derelict vessels,” he said.
Also on Friday the WCIND board approved keeping the district’s property tax rate at 0.0394 mill. A mill is $1 per $1,000 of a property’s taxable value.