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Town staff proposes ordinance on abandoned and moored boats; seeks county, DNR coordination
Summary
Staff proposed a local ordinance to address abandoned vessels and mooring safety in Bluffton’s waterways, outlining seizure and disposal procedures, penalties, and a plan to align with Beaufort County and the state Department of Natural Resources to share enforcement and recovery responsibilities.
Town staff presented a draft ordinance that would authorize local procedures for identifying, notifying, seizing and disposing of abandoned vessels and that would clarify mooring-distance and safety expectations in Bluffton waterways.
The presenter said DNR provided coordinates for nine abandoned vessels and that eight of those are within town limits, which prompted the staff review. The draft ordinance would supplement state law by setting local notification timelines, violations and penalties, and administrative enforcement steps. Staff recommended partnering with Beaufort County and DNR so jurisdictions could coordinate notification and removal; the presentation noted state funds may be available to offset removal costs in some cases.
Council members and staff discussed legal boundaries and capacity constraints. One council member asked whether the town has storage capacity for seized vessels; staff said they might rely on partnership with the county. The town attorney (functional label used in transcript) advised that any locally adopted ordinance must closely follow state law and generally will mirror other jurisdictions’ language; staff said they will consult DNR and county staff as the draft is refined.
Why it matters: Abandoned or poorly moored vessels can leak fuel, obstruct navigation, and create hazards during storms. Staff argued a local ordinance can accelerate notification and enforcement steps so DNR and town partners can remove vessels more quickly, especially after storms.
What happens next: Staff will continue drafting the ordinance, consult with county and DNR partners, and return with examples of neighboring municipalities’ approaches and budget estimates for seizure and disposal.
