Hurricane Ian Boats, Here's What Happens To Them

Lots of people have been asking what happens to the sunk or damaged boats from Hurricane Ian. Here's what happens. This is a boat graveyard located on San Carlos Island, next to Fort Myers Beach.
Love boating and the island life? Then join our Castaway Crew channel Membership for members only perks. You can get early access to videos, special Members Only videos, free Castaway koozies and stickers and much more. Give it a try here - / @caribbeancastaways
Did you know Crystal is a Licensed Massage Therapist? If you're in need of therapy, she has an office in Fort Myers and does house calls in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Sanibel Island. You can learn more and schedule an appointment at revitatouchmas... or email her at [e-mail] Thank you!

[@AmericanConstellation]

I'm 64, I've had a boat since I was five, they got bigger and bigger. I have bad dreams at least once a month of finding my boat sunk. I do feel sorry for these people. My boat is part of my soul. Every time I use I'm so happy and I get mentally and physically renewed.

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Great to hear. We are looking for our next one now.

[@DougVarble]

Hurricane’s are what boat manufacturers dream of at night, thanks for the perspective 🎉

[@MEdGrant]

I shudder to think of how many tens (hundreds?) of millions of dollars worth and tons of plastic resins are going to end up in landfills every time there is a hurricane event like this.

[@ras9875]

Matthew 6:19

[@Proverbs--tx6yr]

@@ras9875 Amen 😊

[@marcushennings9513]

Most go to a local salvage yard because there's still a lot of expensive brass and fitting on them. My first sailboat sank in a hurricane and the city will bring them up and charge the owner an outrageous amount even put a lein on their home. Mine was moored in a shallow bayou and I did it myself with a froend using my dink, lots of inflatable mattresses and a compressor. Cost me hundreds in comparison to thousands.

[@Alcisco504]

Thats a cool story

[@rla1000]

Yes, I've been curious about this. This video answered some basic questions but left many more important ones unanswered. Do owners ever come looking for their boats? Aren't all boats registered, with registration number, etc. that would tie them to an owner? Is there any attempt to contact owner based on reg numbers? Or are boats considered to be abandoned and subject to some sort of salvage law? Who if anybody gives the okay to part or chop up a boat? If a boat is salvageable and repairable, is owner contacted? Who pays for recovery? What about insurance - when is a boat deemed "totaled" and what about costs for repair of salvageable boats? Seems like a lot of legal questions need to answered which would be helpful in understanding the whole process.

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Crane crews won't touch a boat unless the insurance company gives the okay. Insurance companies work with salvage companies to either part the boat out or scrap it. The owners have been paid off at this point or released the boats. Sunk boats are now the responsibility of FWC to pull them out as they are past a deadline for the owner and insurance companies to act. We do need to change the salvage laws here in Florida to what they once were. None of these wrecks would be here if public salvagers could lay claims on a abandoned vessel.

[@MarkMayhew]

@@CaribbeanCastaways the wrecks wouldn’t be there, correct, they’d have been stolen

[@MarkMayhew]

@@CaribbeanCastaways actually the wrecks would still be there, the intact boats wouldn’t be there

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

@@MarkMayhew That type of salvage is a big part of Key West's history. The Wreckers.

[@insmileyfacemur4242]

@@CaribbeanCastaways just being curious what happened to all those boats or what

[@leozeek]

Seeing the distraction of these once fine boats is sickening, thanks for sharing!

[@philmatoph]

i agree with you.

[@janethagen3385]

I appreciate your video work. I’ve caught every one post hurricane. Thank you so much!

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Thank you Janet!

[@patreilly4293]

That 50-foot Hatteras belongs to a good friend of mine. We were down there about 2 weeks ago to retrieve the Boston Whaler that had been on its bow. Sad to see but I've shared your video with him.

[@robertpapps3618]

Something I wondered about. Thanks for posting. The landfills will be overflowing!

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Working on a trash video now.

[@crystaldixon6787]

I'm just glad that they save and fix up the ones that can float and that are not broken up. I saw another video of a place on land where they store boats they gotten out of the roads and the waterways. And a lot of them look great If I had money and could go and get one to fix up I would go in a heartbeat. Made my day that they are not going to waste, Thank you for all your awesome videos I hope that your town will start to heal and become what it once was. Well, it can't be 100% what it was but it's going to be better than ever we all have faith in you. You guys are muscular and are fighters if anyone can get it all back up and running it's you guys stay strong my friend and god bless you all.

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Thank you!

[@UNITED2009100]

If you had the money? I fixed one up one time and the cost is much bigger than you would think and after I got done, the boat was still worth less than I spent on it. Used it several years and then sold it. A boats value is based on economics. One day is worth $100,000.00 and a year later it's only worth $30,000.00 if that. Be careful should you try rebuilding a damaged boat.

[@assymcgee2835]

check with your local marinas, there are always abandoned boats. I paid $1200 for a 32' Carver a year ago, in the water, needed a little engine work, a few windows, stuff like that. She aint perfect but she aint bad.

[@thomasbrasse3145]

Wonder where that catamaran on the barge went. Looks like a good project.

[@geraldinelucas3143]

I hope someone will video the UN-stacking of the shrimp boats getting them back in the water or those that will not be repaired. So hard on the owners and how sad for such great loss.

[@ralphbourke5473]

I worked on a shrimp boat in another life based out of Fort Myers named Moon Shadow, I wonder if Pat will be able to salvage her?

[@edbardoe2195]

Boat graveyards like these are all over Florida, and they get plenty of new arrivals even in a year with no hurricane.

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Very true.

[@MrKmoneyone]

Would love to find a set of spare props. Any salvage yards I can call?

[@robertpalmer3166]

Call me crazy, but I'd search salvage yards in that area on the exact same internet that you made that comment on.

[@b.atwater3904]

I have several pair of bronze props , three and four blade, most are 14×16 or so, most are 1 1/4" shaft and larger from my yachts ranging from 36 to 40 feet, mostly diesel, some gas . Located in Michigan, can ship .

[@lynneslade513]

Good question tho where do they put all that once they are done ripping them up?

[@akbychoice]

Curious if the fiberglass could be ground up and used in road building concrete?

[@jamessandman3708]

It can be ground and sprayed into new boats.

[@stbroker1]

How one goes about if he wants to purchase one of these boats? What’s the process who to contact?

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Not sure. Salvage companies I think.

[@sasquatchcreativityinthefo8573]

I am sure someone must have checked out the interior of the boats for valuables? Safes, lockers, draws, etc? It's a shame to see so many once beautiful boats end up this way, but with so many under water, the cost to repair is too much $$$$$$$ Thanks for the update.

[@BobABooey.]

They need one of those giant car shredders to feed the boats into.

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

That would be nice!

[@lisas9034]

If not claimed by the owners within a certain amount of time, or not reported to the insurance companies, (many of these boats do not have the proper insurance for hurricane disasters), the salvage companies get to keep the boats and recover what they can from them. The salvage companies make $$ this way.

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

That's the way I understand it as well.

[@billlawton1186]

That was once a beautiful Hatteras being devoured. Oh what I would do for some of those parts!

[@choimdachoim9491]

It would be quicker if they used a road-compacting sheepshead roller. That would flatten the boats within one minute, while punching hundreds of big holes everywhere, making the work of the machine shown here much easier and quicker.

[@ellieramseyer2291]

This is so incredibly sad and hard to watch...

[@lisas9034]

Many people lost their livelihoods from this devasting event!

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Very true. It's all very sad.

[@ras9875]

On the bright side there will be many jobs for years to come

[@jeffbryan2591]

A lot of the boats they’re crushing are the older ones . They are way better built than the boats of today . And better looking by far .

[@sandrawesseln9619]

The old Hatteras is giving the excavator a work out.

[@MrMarkar1959]

Anybody looking to purchase ANY vehicle or boat after a Hurricane is nuts.

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

We are, but not in this local market

[@Driftwood50]

Who do we contact to buy some parts that they saved

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

I'm not sure. Don't know where they go after salvage companies get them.

[@pinkladybikermamma3603]

I AGREE ON CHANGE THE SALVAGE LAWS OF FLA. MANY OF THE ON BOARD HARDWARE AND ENGINES(WHICH MOST ARE DIESEL) CAN BE SALVAGED + WHATEVER ELSE YOU CAN STRIP DOWN.

[@thatguy8005]

Wrecked boats… like wrecked cars… can it be rebuilt?

[@Shopweasel]

3:13 that big boat is peeling a little too easy.🧐😏🥺

[@ralphbourke5473]

I have owned both, consider a sailboat as the same lack of quality as a camper, only difference is a boat is nothing more than a whole in the water you continuously pout money! I will never forget the feeling sitting by the window watching the snow fall on both a camper and a sailboat knowing the payments are due same day!

[@clham612]

I notice that nothing valuable is coming out of that boat. Everything of value appears to have already been salvaged.

[@ralphbourke5473]

They are overpriced Campers built to fall apart before you have the chance to pay it off, only difference is one is supposed to float while the other rolls!

[@ralphbourke5473]

@@clham612 Most people scuttle their own boats just prior to the storm knowing the chances of the boat surviving are slim to none. That doesn't stop the pirates who steal what they can with in minutes of the storms passing.

[@may86bear]

I have a feeling that a lot of boats will end up being abandoned by their owners. Such a shame and waste😢🤔

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

A lot have. Now FWC (Florida Fish 7 Wildlife Conservation Commission) has to clean them up. Owner no longer own the vessel at that point I believe.

[@briananderson8733]

@@CaribbeanCastaways Considering Florida is a place where many people have a SECOND home and don't live there all the time, that seems a bit harsh. After a hurricane and the destruction of your home how would you go about attempting to locate your boat? It doesn't appear that there is much infrastructure restoration happened yet. Big question is what constitutes abandonment and how does the clock figure into it given loss of 2nd house.

[@paulhaas4299]

You can call this the Lot of Broken Dreams.😪

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Accurate!

[@scottireland5414]

Seems like they could have at least saved the anchor for resale. Sailboat gib sheet tracks and block cars can be easily removed for resale.

[@pilothouseking]

I’m pretty sure none are legally “parted out”. Too many possible liabilities to allow anyone in there, even IF one can ascertain legal ownership.

[@bryandamkaer3646]

Sad...

[@deerslayer59202]

Sad. But some people have job security for a long time.

[@davidsalzman4672]

After watching many of your videos, I am trying to picture the mountain of debris that is being created somewhere nearby. The nightmare that this will all be repeated as storms become more devastating.

[@ralphbourke5473]

Isn't it ironic we've been to the moon, own military weapons that can blow mother earth to a vapor 80 times over again but haven't solved the land -fill problem. What's Joe Bidens New Green Deal Quick Fix on that while he refuses to talk about the future of air travel while he bans all fossil fuel autos in 13 years? I'd say the Biden clown has a lot to explain.

[@TheMambomaster]

I need transmissions and props. Who has access to them?

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Not sure. Will try and find out.

[@rainman7992]

who pays for the cost of recovery, transport and salvage ?

[@susiefairfield7218]

Charlotte County here.....ppl are getting 10k from their insurance policies ..some even less...so recouping unless insured to the gils is just not gonna happen...smh.. why have insurance if it doesn't pay? And FEMA...fer get it......

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

It's definitely been an issue.

[@Shopweasel]

About 10 years worth of work.

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Nah, we'll be back before that.

[@Shopweasel]

@@CaribbeanCastaways cool...

[@brandonthorbahn2405]

I need a pair of big blocks if any are salvaged from the area!$$$

[@amunderdog]

Best i remember? Not recyclable

[@leevandyke8524]

Sad to see this chopped up .

[@chrisgallagher3703]

I can puke just watching this video...what a shame ! Boats that I'll never in my life be able to afford just being chopped up and put in dumpsters! Don't get me wrong I totally get it...Its just such a shame !

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

It's very sad.

[@elred7330]

WHY NOT USED SOME OF THESE BOATS FOR THE HOMELESS TO LEAVE IN GET A NICE PLOT OF LAND AND THOSE THATS SALVAGEABLE TURNS THEM INTO HOMES FOR THE HOMELESS, SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. ✌ ☮.

[@robpowell461]

Sometimes there's no place to hid

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Truth

[@SCOTTBULGRIN]

😢 A sad ending to the vessels. See you in Davey Jones locker.🏴‍☠️

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Arrrr

[@davidsharpe426]

Real shame !!

[@rumblechick73]

I keep wondering if after all the saleable and reusable goodies are stripped if it would be more cost-saving to take them out far enough offshore to sink for more artificial reefs.

[@jeffreystorer4966]

The EPA are very difficult in Australia with sinking for reefs ,oil fuel etc be same USA, and unless anchors set they tend to move around in current , shame to see all those lovely boats lost ,the sheer lazyness of yards and owner s failing to prepare for storm tie down etc makes me weep

[@rumblechick73]

@@jeffreystorer4966 While I'm sure there was some laziness involved, I doubt it was on the part of the marinas. This storm was an anomaly and kind of ripped docks and buildings right out of the ground, so no amount of tying down would have mattered much. Yep, they are pretty careful here about what is allowed to be used for making reefs, and of course, removing any chemicals would be required.

[@jeffreystorer4966]

@@rumblechick73 I live aboard in cyclone belt Australia ,we take our boats up creeks ,tie em in mangrove swamps ,n stay aboard,2 yrs ago we had similar storm ,four LGE commercial boats lost out of about 3oo ,well prepared boats ,both on hardstands , mooring and in creek system , the town got badly damaged , so it's possible for well prepared boats to survive , but every owner has to make the effort to properly sercure their vessel , everyone pitches in to help each other ,one loose boat starts a chain reaction of misery ,no boats are allowed to stay in jetty births , with there being so many boats badly proped not tied down and owners ,who left it to the marina staff is shameful,boats are like pets if you can't take responsibility for em you shouldn't have one , I get a bit pissy about it because every time these things happen my insurance double in price ,O and I like boats more than most people LoL have a great Christmas

[@hoopoo3721]

I wonder where the money goes?

[@lutomson3496]

those insured are there...the not insured are still out there..good to see them chopped up and recycled

[@tjmmcd1]

No worth watching as not a single word is uttered. Half the video shows a single boat being trashed by a large excavator.

[@jamessandman3708]

Do you feel better now?

[@stoneskipper7625]

Sad. Waste. Nightmares..

[@davidgribble263]

Think how many sunk their boats on purpose ???????????

[@daneetaran8784]

Yup I'm sure that was on their minds

[@jodiplock4784]

☹️

[@orangekayak]

Boats are some of the most stupid things people can have. Especially these fiberglass pieces of garbage that sit floating on docks in Florida 99.99% of the time. It would be easier to just burn the money in a fire prior to casting a mold. And yes, I have had several boats in my life. They are fun for about a year before becoming an albatross. I am sure the majority of owners of these boats getting shredded were THRILLED to learn their boats sunk and they would be getting insurance checks.

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Obviously never owned a boat.

[@danielweise5968]

I can't watch...

[@coldmidgetts]

great video

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Thank you

[@DriveSafeDon]

One thing for sure they’ll be a lot of used parts for sale 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@phillc1073]

I AM SURE THE RICH WHO OWN THESE BOATS...ARE WELL INSURED.....