Folly Beach cleaning up abandoned boats

The City of Folly Beach plans to remove up to 6 abandoned boats from the waterways surrounding the Island.

It is the first municipality in the Charleston area to take such measures. City officials say their efforts are made possible through the help of a grant to the tune of about $45,000. Folly is putting up about $15,000. The removal is scheduled to begin April 6 with some preparations beginning April 3.

Mayor Carl Beckmann says the plan is to first remove the boats which are underwater and creating the greatest navigational hazards, then to yank boats anchored or up on the marsh. That has caused some local controversy among people who would like the “SS Minnow” to remain.

Some marine observers say the number of abandoned boats is mounting as people ditch their luxury property due to financial hardships. Still authorities say boaters mush dispose of their vessels or at least make some attempts to keep them up.

In January this year South Carolina enacted law to penalize those who jump ship with up to a $5,000 fine and 30 days in jail. According to the Department of Natural Resources, which is in the process or investigating and tagging illegal abandoned vessels, there are about 200 such boats along the state coast and more than 100 in the greater Charleston Area.

Besides being eye sores, derelict vessels are navigation hazards and can spill toxins into the waterways.

If you want to see where some of these boats are or report one go to http://www.charlestonwaterkeeper.org