PINELLAS COUNTY – On February 21, 2022, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri held a press conference to announce an initiative to remove derelict vessels from the waterways of Pinellas County.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and various other contracted cities have received numerous complaints from citizens’ reference derelict vessels, live-aboard vessels, and mooring fields in the intracoastal water ways and portions of Tampa Bay.

Sheriff Gualtieri explained the vessels pose a threat to public safety and are a major hazard in the waterways. They also present a danger to other boaters, people swimming, and individuals on personal watercrafts.

Sheriff Gualtieri said, “It is a true public safety issue and we’re glad that we’re able to do something about it.”

To view the full press conference, please see the attached link:  https://youtu.be/xy2qJGOYVHo