Capt. Burnham’s comments below are a postscript to his earlier warning of a sunken vessel in these waters, a warning that resulted in an SSECN Navigation Alert (see /?p=108736).
Derelicts (abandoned vessels) and “live aboard hulks” (so-called “vessels” on which people “live” that will never move again, unless it’s straight down to the bottom) are indeed a very real problem, not only in Florida, but throughout the Southeastern coastal regions. We agree wholeheartedly with Captain Burnham’s thoughts that many of these situations could be solved simply by enforcing MSD regulations and marine salvage laws ALREADY ON THE BOOKS!

Sunken Buccaneer Sailcraft, Palatka Waterfront - Photo Courtesy of Captain David Burnham

The Palatka riverfront is becoming a graveyard for boats whose irresponsible owners neglect their anchored vessels. A third vessel is now a navigational hazard between the Palatka city dock and the Highway 17 Memorial Bridge. This unlit hazard has only its bowpulpit showing above the water surface. This 27′ Bucanneer sailboat does not have a mast so it can be hard to spot. Unlike Kevin’s sloop that was allowed to sink south of the Boathouse Marina with only its mast above water and west of the sunken Houseboat that only has the top two feet of the roof exposed at high tide.
If you plan to anchor at Palatka it is currently hazardous to do so except with a full moon or in daylight.
The mastless 27′ Bucaneer [see attached photos – editor] was a hazardous sinking vessel on the 5th of July. It sank on the 13th and there was plenty of time to prevent it from sinking…The Houseboat has been underwater for months…Kevin’s sloop sank two weeks ago and it was obvious that it was in hazard of sinking yet no action was taken. Is the owner the only person responsible when authorities refuse to act to correct an obviously hazardous situation?
David Burnham

I am a property owner, a sailor and have at one time had my 32′ sloop in the Palatka Marina for 3 years. I beg to differ with the good captain! The vessels and the places he describes are accurate; however, NONE are in the channel, they are in places where when the winter winds occur, they are in relatively SAFE positions. If the good captain wants to wander around exploring the area, excellent. Do so at your own risk, . Anytime its not daylight, anywhere you do so at your own peril. A real seaman would not chance a night anchorage in a strange place.
Gene Koblick

Sunken Houseboat (in the middle of the photo, beyond the two sailcraft), Palatka Waterfront - Photo Courtesy of Captain David Burnham

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Palatka Waterfront