A new trend has emerged in South Florida this winter, as vagrants are increasingly seeking shelter on derelict boats along the coast.
This phenomenon, which only came to the attention of the local sheriff's office in the past year, has raised concerns about the safety and cleanliness of the area's waterways.
Chief Deputy John Budensiek of the Martin County Sheriff's Office explained in an interview with Fox News Digital that the region has long had a homeless and transient population. However, it was only recently discovered that many of the derelict boats in the area were being inhabited by vagrants. As the marine deputy began citing, tagging, and removing these vessels, it became apparent that they were being used as makeshift homes.
The issue of derelict boats has been a longstanding problem in Martin County. Many boats become rundown and inoperable, leading their owners to abandon them or sell them to individuals who fail to re-register the vessels. These abandoned boats pose environmental hazards, leaking fuel and human waste into the water. The sheriff's office has been working diligently to remove and destroy these derelict boats, or bring them up to code.
In the past year alone, the number of derelict boats in Martin County has increased significantly. The sheriff's office has identified at least 50 abandoned boats, all of which have been cited and addressed. While some boats have been brought into compliance, others have been removed and destroyed.
It is important to note that the individuals squatting on these boats are not typically homeless people seeking employment and a way out of their situation. Instead, they are described as vagrants, often struggling with drug addiction and mental illness. Chief Deputy Budensiek emphasized that while the sheriff's office wants these individuals to succeed, they also want to protect the quality of life for law-abiding citizens who work hard and pay taxes.
Differentiating between a rundown boat that is still in compliance and a derelict boat inhabited by squatters can be challenging. Many functional boats may not meet the standards of comfortable living, but they are still habitable. The sheriff's office works in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard to test boats anchored outside the water channels to ensure they meet safety requirements.
One clear indication that a boat is derelict is if it is leaking sewage into the water. This poses a significant environmental concern, as the waste from these boats drains directly into the estuaries, oceans, and rivers of Martin County. To identify these boats, authorities use dye tests, running dye through the toilet systems to see if it leaks into the water.
While squatting in homes has become more prevalent across the United States during the pandemic, Martin County has not experienced a significant increase in land-based squatting. Instead, the sheriff's office has been dealing with boat squatters and individuals living in RVs. People often stay in RVs until they are no longer functional, then abandon them on the side of the road.
Removing and destroying derelict boats comes at a substantial cost, ranging from $7,000 to $40,000 per boat. However, these funds are not taken from the residents' tax base. Instead, they are derived from boater registration fees, with a portion specifically allocated for the removal of derelict boats. This investment is aimed at maintaining the appeal and safety of the waterways for residents and visitors alike.
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