The Ministry of Transport, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Marine and Ports Services advise the public that an additional 31 abandoned and derelict boats, owners unknown, will be removed and discarded shortly. This is in addition to the notices earlier this year to remove 54 abandoned vessels.
Ministry of Transport spokesperson said, “The joint programme to remove the vessels is a partnership between Government and Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB) following a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the Minister of Transport. The additional 31 abandoned and derelict are unsightly and present a hazard to other motoring vessels. The vessels are located in the Mullet bay entrance, Ferry Reach, Coney Island and Ducks Puddle (St George’s), Mills Creek and Stovell Bay, Spanish Point (Pembroke) and Somerset areas.
“We cannot currently find any characteristic names or boat registration details on many of these abandoned and derelict boats. However, if you are the owner, you have 30 days from today’s date July 13, 2022, to remove your vessel and relocate it to a site that does not contravene the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 2002, the Marine Board Act 1962, the Marine & Ports Authority (Dumping) Regulations 1967 or any other law of Bermuda.
“Should you wish to identify whether any of these vessels belong to you, then you can voluntarily agree to allow the Ministry to dispose of them at no cost by completing a Consent-Form-Unknown-Abandoned-Vessel-Notice at www.gov.bm and returning it to the Department of Marine and Ports.
“However, if you do not respond within 30 days from today, July 13, 2022, your vessel may be disposed of, and if the vessel identity is subsequently determined upon recovery, then the costs incurred as a result of said disposal may be payable by the owner.”
According to the Marine & Ports Authority (Dumping) Regulations 1967, the Minister of Transport may direct the disposal of any vessel which has been abandoned and is likely to become unsightly or impede the free navigation of the territorial waters of Bermuda. In doing so, the Minister may direct that the person responsible for the abandonment of the vessel be liable for the costs associated with the disposal of the vessel. The Ministry of Public Works will provide the disposal site and the disposal of hazardous wastes that are removed from each vessel.
For all abandoned or derelict boats where the owner is known, Government will be contacting those boat owners in due course before the boats’ removal.
For more information, please contact pollutioncontrol@gov.bm, and the official notice is posted at www.gov.bm/theofficialgazette/notices