Derelict Facts in the State of Florida
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (http://myfwc.com/) as an excellent (not yet fully implemented) online tool (https://public.myfwc.com/LE/ArrestNet/DerelictVessel/VesselMap.aspx) for tracking location and essential information on derelict boats. For the Florida East Coast, when the underlying data is parsed it reveals:
66% of derelict recreational boats are Florida registered, and this percentage is slightly understated because the `Registration NA’ boats probably contain some number of Florida registered boats.
Of the derelict boats for which length data is available (87%), the median boat size (all types) is 26 feet and the mean is 27 feet (discounting an outlier). Two thirds are between 22 and 32 feet.
Across both registration categories sailboats account for 40%, cabin-power for 19%.
75% of the 170+ derelicts are in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Brevard and Broward Counties, but’¦
In Broward County 68% of the boats identified as derelict are in slips.
Most of the pictures of `Registration NA’ boats and many of the `FL Registered’ depict hulls so old that removal would entail little legal effort.
Caveats
The few commercial hulks, barges, etc were not counted.
The boat registration and length data is extracted from graphics files in the FWC tool by hand; there may have been a few errors.
What can we draw from this?
The registration data doesn’t support derelict boats being driven by out of state/foreign cruisers.
The size data doesn’t support derelict boats being driven by cruisers, period. Yes, we have taken over 500 and 1000 mile trips in a 23 footer (1976) and a 29 footer (1980), but what we see on the waters today is 35-45 footers. Although to be balanced, 18% of the measured derelicts are 35 feet or greater ‘” the same percentage as boats 21 feet or less.
From the FWC photos, the sailboats, with few exceptions, are not equipped as long range cruisers, they look to be local boats that were either uninsured or insured and totaled, and the local owners just walked away.
Broward County’s slipped derelicts should be discounted when talking about anchoring issues.
Money for removal is more of an issue than authority for removal.
Finally (well, that apparently never happens in this debate), we don’t like looking at or being anchored near derelicts or imminent derelicts any more than any other Floridian. We don’t like them clogging up our few and far between safe anchorages. We don’t like them driving municipalities to create maritime ghettos that wipe out those few and far between safe anchorages.
We believe the data above is a reason for the latest shift to attempting to ban anchoring on the basis of defamatory accusations rather than data. It’s pretty clear from the data, cruisers don’t come to Florida to abandon their boats.
Chris Waln
Derelict boats are completely different than cruising boats. It’s the difference between a car driving down the freeway, or parked at a rest stop, and one jacked up on blocks on the side of the road. I don’t for one minute believe that the people behind the anchoring restrictions can’t make this distinction, and I still believe the derelict boat problem, while a real problem, is being used as a smokescreen/false flag operation, for getting rid of non-derelict cruising boats that are messing up the views from waterfront condos of people who are used to getting their way on everything.
R. Holiman
Interesting analysis. I would add that another important factor in anchorage bans is financial. There are interests that think boaters anchoring for free are getting away with something and they should be forced to pay for the privilege. The funny thing in Florida is that this often involves creating a mooring field at huge expense that is paid for by taxpayers that then forces boaters to pay for moorings and marina space that even then is not self-supporting. The Marathon mooring field and marina only survive due to hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer funds. These fields are not self supporting in Florida. I have yet to figure out why Florida mooring fields are so hugely expensive to construct, but the per-mooring cost is often four or five times what it would cost for an individual to put in the finest mooring set up. You would think that purchasing in bulk, etc. would save money. Someone is making money off of that aspect of this too.
John Kettlewell
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the southern section of Jeremy Creek
Comments from Cruisers (112)
Larry,
I am so shocked and saddened by this loss to the boating community. I am so grateful for all of the help, advice and wisdom Claiborne has shared with me over the last three years since I became Director here at the Welcome Center. He was a major supporter of our Historic Dismal Swamp Canal and he was always willing to take a call. It was obvious the loss of his wife was a devastating blow, and I was encouraged that life was beginning to move forward. We just don’t know what lies ahead. It behooves us all to live each day to the fullest.
I will miss him very much.
Donna Stewart, Director
Dismal Swamp Welcome Center
Larry:
Thank you for letting me know. The message arrived as I was working on my boat and I just lay there onboard thinking of the many times Claiborne and I spoke and laughed together, and of the many, many times I read through his books and his website looking for great advice.
John J. Kettlewell
Larry, I am so sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to you and the family.
Michael Lieberum
Seventh Coast Guard District
We heard the news on Cruiseheimers today. Claiborne has been our inspiration while cruising the Carolinas and beyond. We are very sad and our prayers go out to the family and friends.
Thank You. very sad. I met him this past year when he came to speak in Punta Gorda.
I am a member of Punta Gorda Sailing Club and Editor of out monthly email newsletter the Jib Sheet. If I can be of any service to the Cruisers’ Net please do not hesitate to give me a call. Anything, please ask. Like you said, we must continue to be faithful stewards of their dream. My husband and I use the Net all the time during our travels aboard our sailboat.
Blessings to all of you.
Carol Geiger
15 Tropicana Drive
Punta Gorda, Fl 33950
Words can not express my feelings and sadness this morning. Such a dear friend and what a legacy he has left all of us who knew him. GOD BLESS his family at this time.
Perry
Claiborne and I had just begun a project together with finally getting marina pictures downloaded on the Salty web site. It was exciting to be helping him with this and his enthusiasm was priceless. He never ceased to tire of helping his fellow boaters. So glad his last week was spent on the water in his new boat. My sympathies to his friends and family and to his fur-child, Samson. They will all miss him very much.
God bless his family and other dear ones. For all my sailing days (NC and beyond), Clairborne has been not just a voice of safety, seamanship, information, and yes indeed, where to go for food and fun, but like a spirit guide, he was right there with the deep reasons we love sailing and the sea so much in the first place. He will be missed, and remembered, his contributions to the richness of boating will carry on forever.
The news arrived as I was working on my boat and I could only think of the many, many times Claiborne and I discussed some Waterway development. He was a man who truly believe in what he did and always tried to make the best product possible. The boating community has suffered a great loss.
So very sorry for your loss. This is truly shocking. Prayers are going out for the family and staff.
I am sincerely saddened to hear about Claiborne ‘s death. He was an amazing man who gave so much of himself to his passion of boating and cruising. He came to Punta Gorda several times and helped our community so much sharing his knowledge and helped us to shape our town to become more boater friendly. We all will miss him terribly. I personally appreciated all the personal advice he gave me for my new business direction. He was always open and provided such sincerity in everything he did and all the lives he touched. RIP Claiborne. You will be missed by all of us.
Very sorry to hear of the loss of Claiborne, I learned a lot from him over the years. I will miss his missives greatly.
Oh my goodness…we have lost a great, gentle man today. Long before the Cruisers Net, Claiborne was a passionate advocate for cruising and boaters and a friend to all on the water.
There is no replacing him and the cruising community is a whole lot smaller tonight. May he rest in peaceful waters.
It is with great sorrow we acknowledge the loss of Claiborne. I am sure his loss will greatly affect the office. We will standby and hope you are able endure the loss.
Ted and Relinda Broom
Wow, thanks for the update, Larry. Still in shock over the news.
Eddie Jones
Larry and the entire staff:
We are so saddened by the news. He will be sorely missed. Our condolences go out to his family and all those close to him.
Duane Ising
What a horrible shock! Claiborne was a great contributor to our Rendezvous and our organization, plus being a really nice guy. His cruising knowledge helped all east coast boaters travel more easily and safely. He will be greatly missed.
Many many prayers going out to Claiborne’s family as we celebrate a one-of-a-kind cruiser, nautical journalist and boater advocate whose presence will remain a guiding force in cockpits around the country. May his good works continue, may we all continue to network as we share our memories and express our appreciation.
Cyndi Perkins
What a tragedy! I hope the Cruiser Net will be able to continue, it has been invaluable.
Such a loss for all of us! Claiborne was so full of life and joy, he shared his enthusiasm and knowledge with great generosity. He will be sorely missed by all of us in the boating community.
Peggy and Hans
We share your disbelief — and your profound grief. Claiborne has been a friend and mentor. Our boating community has lost a magnificent voice, and we will sorely miss him.
Bob and Liz Stagg, AGLCA
Again, with a heavy heart, I use this forum to share my sorry and disbelief in yesterday’s passing of Claiborne Young from a motorcycle accident. His guiding hand was always with cruisers and boaters everywhere. His voice of many words will be remembered for a long time.
Claiborne will now join his beloved wife but we will be at a loss without him.
Claiborne, stay safe on your final journey,
Tom Conrad, AGLCA
I am so saddened by the news. It was one of Claiborne’s seminars that helped inspire Jan & I to gain confidence and live the cruising lifestyle. I was just starting to get to know him personally, as we had some great conversations, alas too infrequently. He was truly a great man, and I have never heard said an unkind word about him, nor have I heard claiborne utter an unkind word about anyone.
If there is anything I or WG can do to help, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Sincerely,
Mike Ahart, Waterway Guide
What a gift Claiborne Young was! The gift endures. He helped so many of us traverse the ICW with ease due to his commitment to get important information to us in a timely manner. I never met him but feel the loss nonetheless. Praying for his family and friends. Thanks Claiborne…your life and legacy endure.
We only knew Caliborne by keyboard and phone. He had a generous spirit, a clever mind, and a Vision. This will take quite a while to absorb. Our prayers go out to his loved ones — he doesn’t need ours, he’s home already.
Claiborne was a true friend and a southern gentleman. Alyse and I first met Claiborne in New Orleans is the early 90’s when he was presenting a seminar on cruising the gulfcoast. Later we crossed courses at many boat shows and other speaking engagements. We remember his smile, welcoming attitude and of course our first impression, his hush puppy shoes. He gave inspiration to the novice cruiser and well researched guidance to those out upon the waterways and we are so grateful to have known him.
Goodbye Claiborne we will miss you,
Chris & Alyse Caldwell
This is very sad news. I really like that guy, and his words have guided many a memorable adventure for some of us. He lived his life fully, I think, right up to the end. My sincerest condolences to his family, whom I hope realize the appreciation that many of us have for his work, and his joviality. There has always been something familiar about his words, over the many years of using his books and website, and they will live on.
I hope that there is some way this [SSECN] can continue.
Chase
Claiborne had a life with meaning. His publications, website, and talks have inspired boaters to get out there and enjoy the water, and have given us the information we need to do so successfully. His death is a tremendous loss to the boating community.
As a past commander of the Greensboro Power Squadron I have had the chance to talk with Claiborne on several occasions in fact we just had him as our speaker at our May meeting. We all loved Claiborn’s wit, kindness and above all his strong devotion to recreational boating and boat safety. We at the Greensboro Power Squadron wish to send out our most sincere condolences to all of Claiborne’s friends and family.
Larry, we are so sad to hear of this great loss to Claiborne’s family and the boating community. We have gotten to know Claiborne as he has made his annual tours to share his great knowledge in a most entertaining and informative fashion. He is with Karen and will forever sail the seas of the here after. Our condolences also go out to the staff of Cruisers Net.
Andy, you are so right. I have always valued his work, he will be missed sorely by all of us.
Chase
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association shares in the boating community’s loss. Claiborne devoted his life to making boating a better experience for everyone who knew him or read his guides.
With sadness,
Janice Kromer
Executive Director
AGLCA
Kim Russo
Strategic Development
AGLCA
Debbie & I are shocked and full of sadness. Our sincere condolences to the Salty Southeast family and to Claiborne’s family and friends. We had the great fortune to meet Claiborne at at New Bern cruisers’ gam about seven years ago. He was a true southern gentleman and a monumental friend of cruisers. I was just about to pen a big compliment and thank you for the website’s help in our locating anchorages and marinas in our new cruising home, west coast of Florida. I am amazed at the quality and helpfulness of the website which mirrors Claiborne’s personal qualities. We will miss him as a trusted, congenial member of the cruising family.
Claiborne was one of our oldest and dearest friends. We got the call from his friend Don Braxton, about 1:35 PM Saturday. Claiborne and Don had been out on a beautiful day for a scenic Bike ride on a country road. A car swerved over into his lane and Claiborne had to lay the bike down at speed and still the car collided with him. We rushed to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC and were the first to arrive and were joined later by Karen’s parents Bud and Shirley Williams and several members of Karen’s family, and friends, along with Don Braxton, who were all distraught as you could imagine. We all stayed there and were with Claiborne at his bedside when he went to join Karen in Heaven. My wife Betty and I have been friends with Karen and Claiborne for 35 years and have been on many adventures with the years. For 8 years in a row we spent a week together on Peaks Island in Portland, Maine and will cherish those memories forever. Once again Karen is his “First Rate First Mate” and they will sail the seas of the hereafter together forever.
Jim and I are shocked and saddened to hear this news. What a terrible loss for his family and for the cruising community. Rest in peace, Claiborne, and thank you.
Very sad news, indeed. Claiborne’s books were cruising companions for many years. He will be greatly missed by the cruising community. Our prayers are with his family and friends.
We are extremely saddened. Claiborne was a guest in our home a few short weeks ago and we got to know him a little beyond his SSECN persona. Claiborne’s death is a great loss to the cruising community. Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends. Larry, if there’s anything we can do, don’t hesitate to ask. Hank and Lisa Pomeranz.
We will forever miss you Claiborne!
Claiborne brought enormous awareness to the water community of the ups and downs (mostly downs) of the Pilot Program when being initiated here in Florida. We got to know him over the following years! We loved that southern charm and his unsurpassed wit and grin. We will miss sharing a good glass of rum and the never ending tales as only Claiborne can re-tell them. I know he’ll sure be glad to be with Karen now. His free spirit and karma gets to stay here with us! Our love and prayers are with his family during this unsettling time.
Such sad news – he was an inspiration, and the waterways will not be the same without him. Our condolences to his family and to the cruising community.
Claiborne’s guides about the coast of the gulf south and up through the Carolinas gave fuel to our passion for cruising. What a legacy he leaves with all of us. A true southern gentleman whose life impacted us in more ways than most will ever know. We are blessed to have known him. Chris & Alyse Caldwell
The cruising world lost an icon. I’m happy he is with his first Mate.
Just read this terribly sad news on a friends post.
I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Claiborne back in the mid 80’s when we owned a boatyard in St Augustine and he was researching the area for his book. We remained in touch off and on through the years; a gracious and good man who will be missed by many in the cruising world as well as all those whose lives he touched.
Fair winds my old friend. Godspeed.
Tragic news. Claiborne was a gift to the waterway cruisers. He will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to all.
R.I.P. sweet Claiborne. Got an email from you yesterday with the news you were excited and very busy about moving your recently purchased trawler. From such a high to the lowest of lows we can traverse so quickly. Smooth seas my friend, smooth seas. To all who knew and loved you…you will never be forgotten. Much Love, Charmaine
Larry, We are so shocked I can’t put it into words. This is a tragedy.
Chuck Baier
Our prayers are with your family. We have been cruising for years and Claiborne’s input to the boating community has been insightful, beneficial and very reassuring.
Kathrin & Ron
Larry, We have lost a good friend today and the boating community has suffered a great loss. This is such a shock and such sad news. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Chuck and Susan
So very sad… a true loss to family, friends and cruisers. Personally and professionally , greatly missed. What a contribution and legacy.
Our condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed!
So sad for the loss. My prayers are
for the family