Host Paul Ruben welcomes Officer Brian Smith and Matt Culver for a conversation about derelict boats in the Indian River Lagoon. Officer Smith works with the City of Melbourne Police Department Marine Unit and Matt is the Boating and Waterways Program Coordinator with Brevard County.

Following Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022, abandoned, or “derelict,” boats have become noticeably scattered throughout the Indian River LAgoon. Beyond the eyesore of a fiberglass boneyard, there are some real public health concerns associated with irresponsible operation and intentional or unintentional abandonment of boats. Today we’ll learn about the estimated quantity of derelict boats, the cost to remove them, potential opportunities to manage the issue, and hear clips from my field visit on the water with Officer Smith and Mr. Culver. We’ll also hear the perspectives of three full time liveaboard boat owners and a resident who lives near the shores of the Indian River Lagoon.

You can stream this and past shows on all major streaming platforms. For listener feedback, please contact the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition’s Help Our Lagoon website and page on Facebook, Instagram, or email us at info@helpthelagoon.org. Music was by Vacationer from their album Wavelengths. Thank you for listening.