Update 3: FWC and Coast Guard provide guidance to vessel owners

UPDATE 3: FWC and Coast Guard provide guidance to vessel owners

 

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Coast Guard have released guidance for vessel owners affected by Hurricane Michael. 

Notice to Hurricane Michael - FWC Stored - Vessel Owners

If you are the owner of a vessel impacted by Hurricane Michael that has been removed from the waters of the state and stored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, please see the information below on the recovery or release process for your vessel.

You have the following options available to you for the disposition of your damaged and stored vessel:

• You may recover your vessel in its entirety from FWC’s storage site.
• You may waive your interest in the vessel, releasing it for disposal.
• You may not disassemble attached pieces from your vessel (remove outboards, masts, etc.). If you wish to  recover these types of items, you must take possession of your vessel and remove it from the storage site. Items that can be retrieved without tools, such as electronics, would be allowable.

To Recover Your Vessel

If your vessel is in an FWC storage site and you wish to recover the vessel, you will be responsible for all aspects of the removal process. The removal of your vessel from the storage site and transportation to your storage location will be handled by your own contractors at your own cost.

1. Contact the FWC storage site supervisor at (850) 597-2096 to make an appointment to remove your vessel from the storage site.
2. Have an insured contractor hired or you can self-remove with your own equipment (trailer, truck, etc.).
3. Prepare to sign and have your contractor sign a Waiver of Liability to enter the storage site and conduct removal operations.
4. Vessel owner must present a valid government issued photo ID that matches the vessel registration for the vessel being removed.
5. If owner can’t be present during the removal process, the owner must provide to the person removing the vessel a notarized affidavit allowing that person to remove the vessel for them. That person must have a valid government issued photo ID matching the name on the affidavit.

To Recover Personal Items from Stored Vessels

If you do not wish to remove your vessel but want to retrieve personal items from the vessel at the storage site, you will need to do the following:

• Contact FWC storage site supervisor at (850) 597-2096 to make an appointment to access the vessel at the storage site.
• Sign a Waiver of Liability once at the site before entering the site.
• Sign a Waiver of Vessel Interest form, releasing the vessel for disposal by FWC.
• FWC neither sells or donates vessels from this storage site.
• Vessels will not be released to unauthorized individuals under any circumstances.
• Owners who wish to recover personal items from their vessel will be responsible for providing their own personal protective equipment. Items such as gloves, hard hats, dust masks, overalls will not be provided by FWC or FWC contractors.
• Access to the storage site will not be granted without a scheduled appointment. Those who arrive at the site without an appointment may schedule an appointment for a later date based upon FWC staff availability. If an opening is available on the schedule at the time of your arrival and staff are available to assist you, you may be able to remove your vessel or personal items at that time.
• FWC Officers will not remove vessels or items from vessels for you. You are responsible to carry out these operations on your own.
• Removal or recovery operations by you at the site will only be allowed during daylight hours with a scheduled site visit.
• Visitors arriving without government issued photo ID will not be permitted in the storage site.
• FWC hired contractors at the storage site will not provide mechanical or physical assistance in the removal of vessels or personal items from vessels. This is the responsibility of the vessel owner and their own contractors.

 

 

-USCG-