Hurricane Sally left an estimated 572 vessels displaced after the water receded in Orange Beach. While most people were able to locate their vessels, some were left unclaimed.

According to Orange Beach Coastal Resources manager Phillip West, there are approximately 35 to 40 vessels remaining in places they should not be or in a condition they should not be in: listing or sunken.

“We have given the benefit of the doubt to most of these vessels. There are docks, piers and marinas that need to be built and there are vessels in the way of that and vessels parked in sensitive habitats that need to go away. We are ready to take this effort on ourselves,” West said.

Alabama State Act 2018-179 allows the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) enforcement officers to authorize the removal of a vessel from public property. A vessel left unattended for two or more weeks after a hurricane, tropical storm or other natural event resulting in a declaration of emergency by the governor is considered abandoned. Any vessel in Alabama waters that is sunk or in danger of sinking, obstructing a waterway, listing or endangering property is considered derelict.

The 30-day grace period has come and gone. By statue, after a hurricane and the governor declares an emergency, they are given a grace period. Now the Orange Beach Police Department or the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency can declare those abandoned or derelict.

This is about more than just making sure the area looks good. There are environmental concerns as well. Many are overturned or listing and could be leaking fuel, engine oil or hydraulic fluid.

The city owns 26 acres off Gulf Bay Road that is a Gum and Cypress swamp area. It is a productive and sensitive habitat, and currently it is full of gas cans, vessels, jet skis, a car and other debris.

“There is a lot of sheen in the swamp that can be seen from an ariel vantage point. Everything in there needs to come out. There is petroleum leaking, it is probably a light sheen, but it does not need to be there. We need to get it out. Having a plan to not do more harm than good is also tricky in that situation,” West explained.

Orange Beach has contracted with Crowder Gulf for the removal and storage of vessels. The costs are high and tax dollars will be used to cover the expenses, but some will be eligible for reimbursement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Salvage costs vary based on the size and condition of the vessel and storage costs are incurred daily based on the length. A 24-foot skiff in the water will cost the city approximately $5,000 to remove and transport to the storage yard. It costs about half if the vessel is on the land. If the boats are crushed at the end of the required 60-day hold period that could cost a couple of thousand dollars per boat.

“The public gets left holding the bag. We are a resort tourism destination and it has got to be safe, healthy and clean. There are compelling reasons for us to take this on. Hopefully, FEMA will assist us with some of the financial burden. There are eligible costs associated with vessel removal and it is our intention to pursue a claim with FEMA to recover those costs,” West said.

West is also looking into other options to help with the expense such as the Alabama Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Fund. The fund, established June 2018 and managed by the secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, is for payment of the seizure, removal, transportation, preservation, storage, advertisement, appraisal, and disposal of a derelict vessel.

West said he expected a declaration to be made and planning to begin early this week.

“When we get our list of vessels that have been declared abandoned or derelict from ALEA and the Orange Beach Police Department we will develop a removal plan to move in an efficient manner and take care of the problem. It’s time to clean up everything and try to heal over the next few months,” West said.