MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — Three years ago, off the Marco Coast, a sailboat owned by a couple preparing for a Baltic Sea voyage faced a disastrous fate.
The 42-foot sailboat experienced steering failure during a test run on December 8th, 2020, around 1:30 AM, leaving it stranded in Big Marco Pass as strong winds and high waves struck.
TowboatU.S. attempted a rescue but encountered difficulties in the harsh weather, leading to the sinking of the towboat and the sailboat. The rescue operation lasted a staggering 23 hours, fortunately, with no injuries. However, the sailboat was left submerged, and the question of its removal became contentious.
In April 2021, the Van Gils, the sailboat’s owners, entered a legal battle with TowboatU.S., accusing the company of losing control during the rescue and causing the sailboat to run aground and sink.
TowboatU.S. told ABC7 News: “The company (TowBoatUS Marco Island) states that under Florida Law, the owner of the vessel is responsible for its recovery.”
Now, three years later, the sailboat remains sunken, posing a potential hazard to boaters and raising concerns among environmental experts. The largely intact boat has barnacles and marine life covering it, creating worries about disturbing the ecosystem during any removal attempts.
Shelley McKernan, a water quality expert, is puzzled by the prolonged presence of the sailboat in the water, asking, “How is a boat still in the water three years after it was beached? Why hasn’t it been removed?” She also worries about potential damages if the boat is taken out now.
“There’s metal and stuff still left on this boat. There are probably barnacles and things living on it. It’s going to break down over time,” McKernan explained, stressing the environmental impact.
McKernan continues to share her concern, saying the delays “just make things worse for the environment around the boat.”
Captain Kyle Fisher of Reel Salty Charters remembers the incident from three years ago, saying the sailboat crashed and disappeared underwater.
“It’s a serious hazard for boaters on this beach,” he warned, referring to the unmarked danger.
“It can easily destroy a boat, capsize a boat, it can cause all sorts of damage,” Fisher cautioned, highlighting the risks to other boaters.
He mentioned that many boats are left behind, saying, “Oh, there’s got to be hundreds out here. People are always leaving boats behind.”
Regarding the sailboat’s removal, Fisher doubts it will happen, predicting, “I highly doubt they ever get it out of the water. It’s just gonna deteriorate into the water and become pollution.”
The sunken sailboat remains a mystery with no clear resolution.
Marco Island Police told ABC7 they believe TowBoatU.S. is responsible for the removal of the derelict vessel, and they have contacted the company following this story.