NEW BERN, N.C. – New Bern is dealing with a new problem – derelict boats.
- Derelict or abandoned boats are becoming a problem in New Bern
- The boats are responsibility of the owners
- The city cannot legally tow them
In the past two years, New Bern Parks and Recreation Director Foster Hughes has dealt with eight derelict boats. Unless the owners tow them, the cost to the city can be in the thousands of dollars.
There are two abandoned boats on Lawson Creek Park, which is next to the city’s Parks and Recreation offices.
“The first thing I see as I pull into the office is this sunken boat, and I mean it’s just an eyesore,” Hughes said.
However, the public park has no legal right to move the boats.
“It’s still the property of the boat owner, so as of right now it’s on the boat owner to deal with their property,” Hughes says.
The city is working on an ordinance that will allow it to remove future abandoned boats.
“So right now we’re working with our Board of Aldermen and our attorney and city manager to get authorization from the state to be able to have a local ordinance where we can deal with abandoned and derelict boats,” Hughes says.
Hughes says an ordinance would allow grant funding to cover the cost. It could cost the city $9,000 to remove the boats.