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Committee hears plea for action on derelict vessels; LDWF, parishes and CPRA urged uniform process
Summary
Lawmakers were told Terrebonne Parish alone has about 900 derelict and abandoned vessels; the Department said it will step up enforcement of the 2019 houseboat‑registration law and work to standardize parish procedures for removing abandoned vessels and to make derelict‑vessel funds more accessible to local governments.
Legislators and state officials addressed the growing problem of derelict and abandoned vessels in coastal parishes, with advocates and representatives urging a uniform state approach and more funding for removal.
Cole Garrett and department staff said the 2019 houseboat registration law has not produced complete compliance, creating a pool of unregistered vessels that later become derelict and obstruct waterways. The department said it is launching a media and enforcement push to encourage registration and will step up enforcement in areas with high concentrations of abandoned craft.
Representative Domaine and others described local impacts. Representative Domaine said Terrebonne Parish alone has some 900 derelict or abandoned vessels, and that parishes use differing local procedures to declare a vessel abandoned, notify owners and remove wrecks—procedures that complicate coordinated removals and increase costs.
Garrett said the law’s registration fees provide a modest derelict‑vessel fund and that department staff will seek ways to streamline access to funds, clarify step‑by‑step parish procedures and reduce red tape so parish governments can remove hazardous vessels more quickly.
The committee did not vote on legislation at the hearing; lawmakers and staff agreed to continue work on a more uniform removal process and on outreach to improve registration compliance.
