Piers in South Florida not inspected regularly

Some piers not routinely checked by city, county, state authorities

SOUTH FLORIDA ā€“ There are similar docks, decks and piers like the one at Shuckers Bar & Grill all across South Florida, but are they regularly inspected?

A day after seeing the deck collapse that hospitalized 15 people, Sherry Wells sat on top of uncertainty while eating her lunch.

"Yeah, I thought it was pretty scary," said Wells.

"Would you be surprised there's no inspections required?" Local 10's Ross Palombo asked Wells.

"Oh my," Wells responded.

Dania Beach, Pompano Beach and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea's piers are not regularly inspected.

RELATED: Victims recall deck collapse

Joe Melfi was worried to learn that he and his children were on a pier not routinely checked by city, county or state authorities.

"I'm a little worried," said Melfi. "I figure someone inspects it at least once a year."

"I would like to make sure it's inspected every time I come out at least," said fisherman Dean Adorno.

Cracks and major damage from Hurricane Wilma prompted a major restoration at the pier in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea several years ago. The city said 2005 was the last inspection of the pier on record.

RELATED: 911 calls released in deck collapse

Cafe Manager Spiro Marchelos said he has contractors repair and re-evaluate a pier monthly, but there is no official oversight.

"We inspect it," said Marchelos. "We have no issues and no problems."

Dania Beach has also undergone a renovation, but those who go here were still concerned Friday.

"Wow, it's shocking," said fisherman Mason Hayes. "Anything could happen, [it] should be inspected regularly."

Many of them were left wondering whether the lack of regulation could mean they're dangling over troubled waters.