FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. – A beached sailboat on Flagler Beach has become a local spectacle, drawing residents and visitors who stop to look.
City leaders say the vessel must be removed as soon as possible for public-safety reasons and to limit risks to the shoreline.
“It’s amazing to see that. It reminds me of growing up and watching Gilligan’s Island,” said Paula visiting from Pennsylvania.
The 45-foot sailboat has been sitting on the sand for over a month becoming the focus of beach walks and family outings for some.
“We thought it was really cool, kind of like an adventure! See the wrecked boat and have a bit of an adventure,” said resident Jeremiah Fries, who brought his family to check it out, “It’s huge! It’s one of these house sailboats!”
[VIDEO: VIDEO: Child among 3 saved from capsizing sailboat off Flagler Beach coast]
The boat washed ashore after a dramatic rescue that was captured on video Jan. 24 as the boat was taking on water and in danger of capsizing.
“We had two adults and one infant on board and the issue we had was the seas were about six to seven feet and they weren’t able to get off the boat,” Fire Chief Stephen Cox said.
Fire department officials sent a rescuer who reached the sailboat and helped remove all three occupants safely, according to Cox.
The boat has been on the beach since. Cox said the city wants it off the beach as soon as possible, as it’s still poses some danger.
“It received some damage. We do not know the extent of it but we don’t want anyone getting hurt,” he said.
The owners are opting to surrender ownership to the state, essentially abandoning it.
[VIDEO: Flagler Beach faces $42K bill for removing abandoned sailboat]
The cost and responsibility for removal shifted to the city. City officials found a contractor and plan to pay $42,000 to have the boat broken down and hauled to a landfill.
The city said it could try to get reimbursement from the boat owner in court or seek state grants to recoup the cost. Officials expect the vessel to be removed within about a week.
Some Flagler Beach residents think it should be on the boat’s owner, while others think it’s part of the price to pay living in a city on the water.
“Everybody chips in with property taxes and tax dollars and that’s just how it has to work I guess,” Fries said.