Boats Missing From Hurricane Ian
The number of boats missing from hurricane Ian are in the thousand in Southwest Florida
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is establishing a special hotline to help.
This is common scene across Southwest Florida. Boats in ditches, roadways and homeowners front yards. In addition, social media sites are teaming with photos of boats in yards. The photo is followed with a question, asking “Are you missing your boat?”
If that describes you and you want to report a boat on your property that is not yours, FWC has a few instructions. Look for the vessel’s registration number. Take notice of all details such as it’s color, its type, its name, etc.
Then finally, call this number, 850-488-5600. The Hurricane Ian Vessel Hotline is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
Things to know if your boat is missing.
If your boat is derelict, you have 45 days to either remove it from the water of the state or bring it into a non-derelict condition. That 45 day mark starts on September 28th, when Ian hit.
However, if you lack the resources to have your boat repaired, or if it is beyond repair, you can release ownership of it. Call that hotline for information on how to do that.
In a press release, Boating and Waterways Section Leader Maj. Rob Beaton says, “FWC officers are diligently working to determine the current number and ownership of storm-related displaced vessels across the state. We are committed to helping boat owners find their vessels and facilitate the removal of vessels from state waters that are posing a threat to the environment or blocking waterways.”
A boat blocks a road in Bonita Springs following Hurricane Ian.
If you have a boat missing from Hurricane Ian or have someone else’s missing boat on your property perhaps this hotline can help you. For more Hurricane Ian recovery info, you can click here.
Hurricane Ian Donation Sites In SWFL
More and more Hurricane Ian donation sites in SWFL are opening. We have been flooded with inquiries as to where people can donate goods.
Some organizations have asked for very specific supplies. To make sure your donations make the most impact, please take a minute to look at the lists. Keep in mind, cleaning out your closet, your kitchen drawers, your garage, or your kid’s toy chest, while well intended, may cause more problems than help.
After every disaster of major proportion, government officials say there is a secondary disaster. It’s the mounds and mounds of unused clothing and other items that come pouring in. However, this is not the time for a massive spring cleaning. It’s a time to be thoughtful about what you are giving.
Some gently worn clothing is OK. Used under garments and socks are not. These need to be new. The old adage “something is better than nothing,” is not necessarily the case. Consider what you are about to donate as if it were a donation for yourself. If you were left with only the clothing on your back, would you give them up for an arm stained shirt?
Most needed
For those who are staying in shelters, basic hygiene items are greatly needed. Cleaning wipes, toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap, tissues, towels, contact solution, diapers, feminine hygiene supplies, and such.
You may have a favorite charitable organization to donated too. If not, many business and communities are holding supply drives. While it is nearly impossible to list them all, we have a few of them here. Check out these Hurricane Ian donation sites in SWFL. We will continue to update this list as much as possible.
On behalf of those in need, we thank you for anything and everything you can do to help. Both in this immediate, more short term crisis. And also in the weeks, months and even years to come.
And for lots more Hurricane Ian info, click here.
