The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is announcing the first opportunity to apply for Derelict Vessel Removal Grants for the 2018/2019 budget year. The application period for the Bulk Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program will begin on September 3, 2018, at 8:00 AM (EST), and end on October 17, 2018, at 5:00 PM (EST). Applications received after October 17, 2018, will not be eligible for consideration in round one. All removal applications must be complete and authorized for removal in the Statewide Derelict Vessel Database as well as demonstrate proof that due process was provided for each vessel’s owner. At a minimum, this would include an opportunity for the vessel owner to challenge the derelict vessel determination, either in criminal court or in an administrative hearing. Vessel cases not demonstrating that these opportunities have been offered to the owners of the vessels will not be considered for state funding assistance. A Letter of Authorization to remove and dispose of the vessel, issued by a law enforcement agency must be included in the application. Should funding be available for a second or subsequent round of applications, new announcements will be made. The grant guidelines and application form may be downloaded here.
You may also receive the guidelines and application by contacting Phil Horning at (850) 617-9540 or email DVGrant@MyFWC.com.
Applications that meet the requirements for the Rapid Removal Grant Program may be submitted at any time after the opportunity announcement start date, but no later than November 23,2019, at 5:00 p.m. (EST) (based on available funding). Rapid removal cases must meet requirements of published guidelines as well as due process requirements. Total funding allocated for derelict vessel removal for fiscal year 2018-2019 was $1,000,000. Applications may be mailed to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Boating and Waterways Section, Derelict Vessel Grant Program Administrator, at 620 S. Meridian Street – Room 235, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 or emailed to DVGrant@MyFWC.com.
For further information, please contact:
Phil Horning, Derelict Vessel Program Administrator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, Boating and Waterways Section, (850) 617-9540 or email Phil.Horning@MyFWC.com
