The sailboat that has been sitting on Sea Bright’s beach for most of the summer is finally getting removed after it was abandoned by its owner 9 weeks ago.
The more than 30-foot-long sailboat “Joyeux” was abandoned on June 19. Its owner was sailing from Maryland to Brooklyn when the boat ran up on a sandbar a little after 12 a.m. and he had to be rescued by members of the Sea Bright Fire Rescue Squad.
“After the boat was abandoned, it became the borough’s responsibility,” said Mayor of Sea Bright Dina Long.
Legally, boats can be abandoned in cases of emergency without any consequences. According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s website, if “a municipality locates a vessel partially or completely submerged or grounded on its beaches, roads or waterways” this can permit a vessel to be legally identified as abandoned.
Now, the borough — and its taxpayers — are footing the bill for the boat’s removal.
The borough hired Sakoutis Brothers Disposal Company, located in Farmingdale, to remove the boat and work began last week.
“We tried removing the boat on Thursday but the high tide created a removal issue so we had to stop,” a representative of the Sakoutis Brothers Disposal Company said on Monday. “We are going back out there later on today. If the tide does not get in the way again, we would like to have the entire boat removed by the end of the day.”
The site has turned into a hotspot for photographers to go and have some creative fun with the town’s newest guest.
Local photographers and beach-goers have shared some of their images of the boat, including a video of a man kite-boarding around the sailboat.
The chief for Sea Bright Police Department did not return multiple requests for more information.
Photos courtesy of Steve Scanlon Photography
– Photographer take pictures of abandoned boat on Sea Bright Beach Photos courtesy of Steve Scanlon Photography
Photo courtesy of Mike Stella Photography
– Photographer takes picture of sail boat abandoned on Sea Bright Beach Photo courtesy of Mike Stella Photography
photo courtesy of John Harris
– Kite boarder takes a picture of the abandoned sail boat in Sea Bright photo courtesy of John Harris
There was also a YouTube video created by a man who goes by “SaltLifeofJohn” around his kite boarding experience with the sail boat.
Dominique Ridley may be reached at dridley@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @DomRidley24. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.
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