BRADENTON BEACH – Two boats in the unmanaged anchorage near the Bridge Street Pier broke loose Saturday afternoon, one making contact with the new floating dock being installed along the south side of the pier.
Bradenton Beach Police Officer Eric Hill responded to the report of an unmoored sailboat making contact with the pier. He then ensured the vessel was removed from the floating dock area and secured to the nearby dolphin pilings that protect the pier.
Mayor John Chappie said the vessel was tagged and the owner was given five days to retrieve the sailboat. If not retrieved during the allowed time period, the boat will be removed and destroyed.
Later that day, a cabin cruiser broke loose and was redirected to the nearby dinghy dock before it could make contact with the new floating dock.
Hill serves as the city’s primary marine patrol officer and has been at the forefront of the city’s increased enforcement efforts pertaining to the navigable waters near the pier.
State law requires a vessel to be able to move under its own power in order to not be considered a derelict vessel that becomes subject to removal and destruction.
