Plan Of Action Set For Berkeley Island Abandoned Boat

BERKELEY, NJ — Removal of the abandoned boat off of Berkeley Island is in sight, according to Mayor Carmen Amato.

The boat has sat for nearly a year, reports have said. It recently became unmoored, sparking concern from residents who feared the damage it could do to the ecosystem. Read More: Abandoned Boat Near Berkeley Island Breaks Loose: Report

However, a plan has been set into action to finally dismantle and remove of the boat, Amato told Patch.

The plan was coordinated by Crystal Pirozek of the Department of Environmental Protection, Amato said.

The first step of the plan, which was to receive a letter from Ocean County Parks saying that the boat could be placed on county property to be dismantled and disposed of by Berkeley Township Public Works, has already been completed. The letter was received Friday, Amato said.

Next, he said that New Jersey State Police have to provide a letter saying that the boat is a navigational hazard and that Berkeley is okay to remove and dispose of it.

After that letter is received, then Berkeley Township Underwater Search and Rescue will pump out, tow and place the boat on county property, Amato said.

Finally, Berkeley Public Works will dismantle and dispose of the boat, Amato said. He said he approved this due to the emergent nature.

A portion of the Clean Communities grant will be used to pay for labor, transportation to the landfill and tipping fees, Amato said.

Amato thanked the following individuals for their assistance: Michael Mangum and Joseph Pirozek, Ocean County Parks; Bryan Davern, NJSP; Greg Elliott and Rick Pullen, Underwater Search & Rescue; Crystal Pirozek, Lynette Lurig, Harold Nebling, Toni Heater NJDEP and Karen Walzer and Carly Conticchio of the Barnegat Bay Partnership.

While the boat is awaiting to be dismantled ashore, anyone who trespasses on the boat or takes items off of it will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, Amato added.

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