What the storm leaves behind

While hurricane reports may no longer be the lead story from the non-stop news services, the storms remain very real for those who must recover from their impact. Here is an update from the US Coast Guard:

Cleanup efforts and removal operations of displaced vessels are progressing throughout Florida waterways thirteen weeks after Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys. Currently, 2,137 displaced vessels have been removed from Florida waterways.

The Unified Command for the response—officially titled Emergency Support Function 10 (ESF-10) Florida—consists of leaders from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Responders are prioritizing the removal of vessels based on potential environmental impact.

Vessel owners have been encouraged to hire a salvage company to recover their vessels in order to provide the safest removal method possible for the public and environment. A list of guidelines and best practices support these efforts

As for the owners of displaced vessels who lack the resources to have their boat repaired, or if their vessel is determined to be beyond repair, they may release ownership of their vessel through a waiver provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (305-985-3744).

The US Coast Guard has a Hurricane Irma Flickr Album with photos and video… click here.

MORE: In the Wall Street Journal, John Clarke reports how the Category 4 hurricane has delivered to the Florida shores many long forgotten items that had been lost in the Atlantic Ocean. To read… click here.