In the historic fishing village of Cortez, where life revolves around the water, residents say broken-down boats have been a persistent problem. Now, a new Florida law is giving authorities more tools to crack down on derelict vessels. The law, which took effect July 1, expands enforcement efforts by tightening ownership rules and increasing penalties for repeat offenders. It also allows for proactive removal of boats deemed “at-risk” before they become fully derelict — a move that state officials and locals say could prevent environmental harm and protect waterfront property. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which oversees vessel removals, says derelict boats are a safety hazard and environmental threat. “We have seen increasing success in our efforts to combat the ongoing derelict vessel problem in Florida’s waters,” said Capt. Travis Franklin, leader of the FWC Derelict Vessel Removal and Prevention Program. “This new legislation enhances our efforts to not only remove derelict vessels but also prevent at-risk vessels from becoming derelict.” MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/manateecounty/florida-law-derelict-boats-enforcement-fwc/67-cab7f305-37a4-496a-a795-6e07c9f1272b