New town boat launches after recovery of stolen boat
The Town of Fort Myers Beach launches its new boat today, one year after its old boat was stolen. Not long after the town council authorized the purchase of the new boat for $121,000, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office found the old, stolen boat in September.
The stolen boat, a 17′ Carolina Skiff DLX with a 70HP Yamaha engine, “was used for an all-purpose boat for the town and for code enforcement to check properties on the canals,” Fort Myers Beach Manager Will McKannay.
The stolen boat was found in September, about 10 months after the town reported it stolen, after the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a suspicious vessel on San Carlos Boulevard. The white Carolina Skiff was found on a trailer sitting behind a business off island and did not have a tag or any registration numbers. After some research, deputies were able to determine it was the boat stolen from the town.
“We are getting the engine serviced and back in working order. We are also fixing the trailer and replacing the axle. The boat will be put back into service once repairs are complete. It will be used for canal checks and code enforcement, pretty much being used for the same purpose as before,” McKannay said about the old recovered boat. It is also possible the boat may not be put back into service though.
“The boat is in fair condition,” McKannsay said. “There is some wear and tear on the boat with a few chipped fiberglass spots on the hull and cosmetic items we are addressing but still in complete working order and fully operational.”
The old boat is valued at about $14,000 and is currently undergoing maintenance.
The new 26-foot Skully Aluminum Craft landing vessel, built for durability and shallow-water performance, will replace the town’s aging pontoon boat, which is in disrepair and scheduled for decommissioning.
The new boat will allow the town’s Marine Operations “to reach all service areas and respond more efficiently to environmental and maintenance needs,” the town announced in a statement put out by Public Information Officer Abigail Eberhart.
The craft is designed for hauling equipment, materials, and debris. The boat will be used to maintain the island’s shoreline, waterways, and public infrastructure,” according to a statement form the town.
“This vessel is an absolute necessity for serving the island and protecting our environment, and we are proud that it was funded through lien recovery rather than current taxpayer-supported dollars. This is exactly the kind of careful planning our residents expect and deserve,” McKannay said.
Fort Myers Beach Public Information officer Abigail Eberhart said the approximately $121,000 spent on the new boat was paid for through a code enforcement lien of $725,840 that was collected last year. That lien was collected from a homeowner on Nature Court who had racked up code enforcement violations based on alleged violations of the use of the property as a vacation rental. When the fines went unpaid, they accumulated, reaching the large figure. The owners attempted to settle with the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council for less though the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council rejected the offer and declined to grant them any leniency last year. After being taken to court by the town they paid the town $725,840 after having to sell their home.
The procurement of the new boat began under the town’s former management.
“The Town remains focused on supporting essential services through prudent financial decision-making while ensuring operational needs are met for the benefit of the community,” McKannay said.
Meanwhile, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office is still seeking to track down who stole the boat from the town. Autumn King, Public Information Officer for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, said the investigation into the stolen boat is still active. “Detectives will continue to locate anyone involved. We urge anyone who has information that could assist us to make contact,” King said.