A grassroots movement has started up around Boca Ciega Bay to help rid the area of its growing derelict boat problem.
How has your community solved or reduced its derelict boat problem? Citizens Against Derelict and Illegal Boats (CADIB) wants to know – and wants others in their own communty to help. CADIB's mission statement: "To protect our waterways from the environmental and navigational hazards that arise from derelict and illegal vessels."
According to Grant Bond, one of the organizers of CADIB, "We would like to learn from and help other areas that have been affected by this problem. We (know) our current situation in Gulfport Florida...about 30-50 vessels dragging anchors, half of them have no registration or no current registration. I have lived on the water for 3 years and have seen 6 boats wash up on residential seawalls, 5 sunken vessels sitting on top of protected mangroves in Clam Bayou and at least 2 have caused damage to city property."
So far, CADIB has been keeping track of boats and registration, and members have attended city council meetings to help keep the issue in the forefront. If you would like to help CADIB on the water or with ideas, contact by email [email protected]
"Join us in the fight to keep our waterways to their natural beauty." Visit the brand-new CADIB website for updates.