Boats were damaged on Anna Maria Island in Florida as Tropical Storm Colin moved through the state on Monday.
Ten boats broke free and a few sank, including a houseboat, Tampa TV station WFLA reported. The Coast Guard rescued some of the people inside. Other boats crashed into each other or into the pier. An initial estimate put damage at about $10,000.
“The boat owners are responsible for [the damage] because they are legally responsible to keep control of their vessels out there,” Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale said.
The pier was rebuilt last year and has special pilings in place to protect it, but some boats made it through the pilings and hit the pier.
Owners will be responsible for recovering their damaged boats, but some of the boats are derelict and authorities will have to track down the owners. Boats whose owners can’t be found will be towed.
A contractor will review the damage. Speciale said the new pilings did a good job of protecting the pier. More pilings might be added for additional protection.
This post originally appeared in Trade Only Today and can be found here.
