City of Charleston expected to rework proposed changes to “watercraft and floating structure” ordinance

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The City of Charleston’s public safety committee was set to discuss a proposed amendment to an ordinance that could help clean up our waterways, but was pulled from the agenda prior to the meeting.

As boating season approaches, the city plans to attack the issue of the number of “abandoned and illegally moored and anchored boats.” However, an official told News 2, it was pulled because the ordinance must align with state laws. One of the proposed changes included a required permit from the police department if a boat remained in a five-mile radius of the city for 14 days.

“People see it, it’s very obvious when you come across the James Island Connector and when you drive along Lockwood [Drive]. There are a number of boats moored, not on docks but are in waterways, which is fine,” Mike Seekings, council member for district 8, said. “As long as they are following certain rules and regulations, we want to make sure these are clear, concise, proper, consistent and in the end make the waterways as safe as they can be.”

Residents, visitors, and those who work in the waterways notice the Lowcountry is littered with abandoned vessels. They pose numerous concerns involving environmental issues where they may decompose and release dangerous chemicals, or sink and become dangerous to navigate.

“They should be removed. For one is they block the waterway and they’re a hazard. Number two, they’re an eyesore when you end up seeing a mast sticking up or seeing a boat just abandoned,” Bryan Collins, owner of Sandlapper Water Tours, said. “Over time it seems like we are starting to see a lot more abandoned boats.”

The issue remains a priority for the city and will likely be revisited at a later date.

“Whether it’s our streets, our waterways, we want to make sure they’re safe, that they’re passable and that we can access them if there’s some challenges,” Seekings said. “Abandoned boats have been an issue for us for a number of years.”