Senator Cathy Cook, R-Mystic, said that passage of her legislation designed to make it easier for municipalities to remove sunken abandoned boats will go a long way toward helping resolve a vexing problem that is unique to shoreline communities, including Stonington.

‘Our current marine salvage laws are considered by many to be archaic. For example, who removes the boats? Is the responsibility of the municipality or the state? If the municipality, what about liability? If the state, which agency and what is the procedure? This legislation answers those questions” said Senator Cook.

The Senate unanimously passed HB 5658, An Act Concerning The Removal Of Abandoned Sunken Vessels, late Tuesday. Senator Cook, who introduced the bill, thanked the Transportation Committee Co-Chairmen, Senator Biagio Ciotto, D-Wethersfield, and Representative Antonio Guerrera, D-Rocky Hill, for their support. Senator Cook also praised Stonington First Selectman Bill Brown for his advocacy for this legislation. “We are grateful for Senator Cook who took immediate action to solve the problems we were having removing derelict boats from our shoreline,” said Brown.

Under the bill, once a duly authorized harbormaster determines that a boat is a “derelict vessel” the state transportation commissioner or a duly authorized representative of a municipality may order the boat removed at the expense of the owner, agent or operator. A “derelict vessel” is defined as a any vessel, scow, lighter or similar floating structure, or part  of a floating structure, whether or not moored, anchored, or made fast to shore, that is broken or altered to such an extent that it will not keep afloat with ordinary care. The bill makes the last owner of record responsible for the boat. Furthermore, the bill establishes procedures regarding storage and, if deemed necessary, the eventual sale of the boat.

“It is always sad to see derelict boats left to rot in our waterways, and I am sorry to say that it has become a problem in Stonington. It is my hope that this bill makes it easier for shoreline communities to deal with this issue in a responsible manner,” said Senator Cook.