Debris Collected From Anchored Boats On Bay: Sausalito Police

SAUSALITO, CA – Sausalito police and the Richardson Bay Regional Agency conducted a debris collection Tuesday from anchored boats on the Bay.

The goal was to remove debris from vessels that might fall into the water during winter storms, Sausalito police Lt. Bill Fraass said.

During the operation at three locations on the Bay between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., 11 boat owners were contacted and a large debris box was filled with boat equipment, household chemicals, bicycle parts and piano
parts, tires and other trash, Fraass said.

The debris removal operation also was an opportunity to assist boat residents in bringing their vessels in compliance with Sausalito's and the Richardson Bay Regional Agency's nuisance and debris ordinances and
codes, Fraass said.

The "anchor-out" boat residents also were informed about services that could help them find housing on land, Fraass said. Three of the 11 people contacted requested those services, Fraass said.

Sausalito police and the Richardson Bay Regional Agency are focusing on unoccupied, nuisance and unregistered vessels that could become marine debris in storms and vessels that are used to store garbage, Fraass said.

The number of anchor-out residents on the Bay fluctuates, but there often are 65 to 70 of them in Sausalito waters, Fraass said.

The debris removal operation likely will occur again, Fraass said.

The Marin County Sheriff's Office and Marin County Health and Human Services also participated in the debris collection.

By Bay City News Service

Photo: Eric Risberg / Associated Press