Wrecked boats from Ian are still afloat in the waters of Fort Myers, more than two years following the hurricane’s devastating impact. These remnants of the past serve as a somber reflection of nature’s ferocity and the slow crawl towards recovery.
Miyoshi Price, the dedicated Fort Myers Community Correspondent, traverses the Caloosahatchee River daily. Her reports often include the sight of these abandoned vessels, a stark reminder of the chaos left behind. They bob gently on the water, mute witnesses to the storms that have passed.
Watch Fort Myers Community Correspondent Miyoshi Price’s report:
Wrecked Boats from Ian are Still Under Discussion After 2 Years in Fort Myers
In the heart of the city, two determined women, Sharon Dewey and Mary Jo Felix, have taken on the mission of clearing one particularly derelict boat from Legacy Harbour Marina. They are not merely concerned residents; they are community advocates. “You’ll see all the oil films still on the water, so it’s still polluting, and of course, it’s very unsightly,” Sharon remarks, her voice tinged with frustration. The boat sits there, a persistent eyesore, as both women pass by it each morning.
“Last fall was when the real cleanup efforts began,” Dewey shares. “They started getting all the debris picked up, but pieces of boats—like a junkyard—still lingered.” It’s a poignant image, evoking a sense of loss—not only of the boats but of a community that continues to grapple with the aftermath of the storm.
Over a year ago, Dewey and Felix rallied neighborhood residents, forming a committee aimed at restoring their beloved marina. They shared their growing concerns with city and state officials. Progress was made; in fact, “the Legacy Harbour people cleaned up most of it,” Felix notes. Yet, the ghost of the derelict boat remains, an unresolved issue clouding their efforts.
Inquiries directed to Legacy Harbour shed light on the situation. “While the vessel is located in the Legacy Harbour marina, it is not owned by us,” a representative explained, emphasizing the marina’s commitment to cleanliness and its collaboration with local and state agencies, including the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND).
A WCIND spokesperson revealed a staggering statistic: nearly 140 boats remain in limbo across Lee and Charlotte counties. Efforts to remove them are ongoing, but with many trapped in bureaucratic red tape, there’s no clear timeline for resolution. A second round of grant applications has been submitted, hopeful of funding future removal while community members like Dewey and Felix continue to advocate passionately for their environment.
Such forgotten vessels tell stories of loss, resilience, and the slow march toward recovery. A random fact to ponder—Florida is home to over 1,300 species of fish, but under the shadow of these sunken boats, one can only speculate about the impact on local ecosystems.
As Fort Myers navigates this chapter of recovery, the conversations about these wrecked boats highlight a deeper connection among community members, nature, and the ongoing journey towards renewal. The lingering presence of these boats serves not just as an irritant but as a poignant reminder of resilience in the face of adversity.
