The U.S. Coast Guard is working with several federal and state agencies to assess vessels that became unmoored or sank during Hurricane Irma and prioritize the threats they pose to safety and navigation.
Response teams from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are currently focused on the most affected ports and waterways from Jacksonville to Miami and Key West and around to St. Petersburg.
According to the Coast Guard, the 13 personnel assigned to the Jacksonville area have so far checked on 99 boats, 19 of which have been recovered by their owners.
Containment barriers have also been floated around two boats at the Bill Dye Marina located at the junction of the Trout and St. Johns Rivers after they were found to be leaking oil.
Boaters in the areas affected by Hurricane Irma are advised to be careful and to alert the Coast Guard of any hazards they come across in the water.
