MONROE COUNTY, Fla. — A 96-foot abandoned submarine was removed from the waters near Marathon on Monday.
According to Monroe County spokeswoman Kristen Livengood, the submarine was safely removed by the county’s derelict vessel removal program.
“Derelict vessels, whether a small skiff or a massive submarine, pose serious threats to the environment, boater safety, and navigation,” said Senior Administrator for Marine Resources Brittany Burtner. “Removing this submarine is not only a win for our waterways, but also a reminder of the importance of prevention.”
The origins of the submarine remain unclear.
According to Livengood, Monroe County and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have worked together to remove 134 derelict vessels from Keys waters in the first six months of this year.
Within the next week, they plan to remove a shrimp boat off Islamorada and a grounded boat off Bahia Honda State Park, which can be seen from U.S. 1, weather permitting.
Monroe County urges boat owners to take advantage of the FWC’s Vessel Turn-In Program, which allows owners to surrender at-risk vessels before they become derelict. To learn more about the program, click here.
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