While there are 18 abandoned boats in slips at the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor, it’s a vast improvement from the past and all are in the process of eventually being removed.
That’s what the harbor Commission explained at this month’s meeting, after Joseph Kokomo, an Ocean Boulevard resident, complained some boats are unsightly and the Commission should take action to remove masts and gas tanks from the privately owned vessels.
Harbor Commission Chairman Thomas Wall tried unsuccessfully several times to explain why the commission is as frustrated as he over abandoned boats, but its current actions are ambitious and successful, and the best they can legally do at this time.
Other members of the commission, as well as Commission Attorney. William McGuinn also attempted to tell the resident they are doing their best, with Commissioner Jim Krauss finally telling him, “you’re talking to the wrong people; you should go to the State DMV.”
Kokomo spoke during the public portion of the meeting, saying the abandoned boats take away from the esthetics of the harbor and take up space that could be used for paying customers. In response to his questions, Harbormaster Lou Fligor said there were approximately 17 boats that have been abandoned and are not paying lease space, and the matter is indeed frustrating to the Commission. A check of his records shows there are currently 18 abandoned boats, and each one of them is at some stage of activity in being removed.
The records also show that in the last 18 months, the Harbor has taken possession of, and removed, five abandoned boats without the expensive legal and research methods that have been used previously.
Wall, continuing to try to assuage Kokomo’s irritation, explained “It is not easy to take ownership of an abandoned vessel”: something that is necessary to do before boarding it or taking any action with it. He explained the Commission is aware the abandonment vessels take up space that could be income producing, but it is necessary to follow the law.
Like motor vehicles, boats are registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, and without the official title, doing anything with the boat is trespassing and against the law.
Fligor explained that through McGuinn, he has been working with Abandoned Boat Titles LLC, a small but feisty and hard-working firm that has taken on the legalities of seeking the titles and turning them over to the Commission, enabling the commission to dispose of them in their own way. All of that takes time, he explained, and the firm is paid by the Harbor for their work, considerably less expensive than previously long drawn out searches or legal fees. For instance, after the firm secured titles for him., Fligor was able to sell two boats, each 38 feet in length or longer. One of them was purchased, the owner did not want it, gave the tile back to Fligor and he was then able to use the money to destroy the boat which was wooden and beyond salvation.
Wall assured Kokomo the Commission is being as aggressive as possible and will continue to stay within the law and continue to operate the Harbor as the professional business it is. He urged the resident to keep him informed should Kokomo found any other means of hastening the work that is being done currently to rid the harbor of the remaining 18 abandoned vessels.
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Wall assured Kokomo the Commission is being as aggressive as possible and will continue to stay within the law and continue to operate the Harbor as the professional business it is. He urged the resident to keep him informed should Kokomo found any other means of hastening the work that is being done currently to rid the of the remaining 18 abandoned vessels.Wall assured Kokomo the Commission is being as aggressive as possible and will continue to stay within the law and continue to operate the Harbor as the professional business it is. He urged the resident to keep him informed should Kokomo found any other means of hastening the work that is being done currently to rid the of the remaining 18 abandoned vessels.Wall assured Kokomo the Commission is being as aggressive as possible and will continue to stay within the law and continue to operate the Harbor as the professional business it is. He urged the resident to keep him informed should Kokomo found any other means of hastening the work that is being done currently to rid the of the remaining 18 abandoned vessels.
