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The cost to remove and dispose of boats has led to people dumping them on land.
LOTHIAN, Md. — Driving along Route 4 to Calvert County, a WUSA9 crew spotted a strange sight at the last ‘park and ride’ in Anne Arundel County: An abandoned boat. No trailer. The bare hull of a 1973 Cruisers Incorporated ‘Barnegat’ seated on the asphalt.
“I just figured somebody really wanted to get rid of their boat and didn't know where to get rid of it,” Jason Sewell, a man parked near the boat said.
Sewell said that a month ago he first noticed the abandoned boat.
“First thing I really thought was, ‘Is there anywhere where you can take stuff like this to get rid of it?’” Sewell said.
“Normally it costs a lot of money to get rid of stuff and that may be the issue is that somebody didn't want to pay to have it moved.”
That is one of the reasons the state of Maryland set aside $500,000 to help remove them. The problem is that money applies for boats in the water, not on the side of the highway.
“They figured the state would take care of it,” Sewell guessed about the motive.
Now, the boat is the state’s problem.
WUSA9 spoke with salvage companies about removal costs. We are told, it can cost around $100 per foot to remove the boat and dispose of it. Then add extra fees to handle environmental waste like oil and gas. It adds up.
This boat is 24 feet long. Inside, the wood has started to rot. The metal and the engine seem to be stripped. If it doesn’t move soon, there could be more problems.
“Next thing you're gonna have the squirrels, raccoons or anything possibly living inside of it," Sewell pondered. "I mean, that's a perfect place for wildlife to set up."
WUSA9 called Maryland State Police. An officer at the barracks said they’ll handle it. When we asked if this is common, the officer said “more common than you would think.”
The penalties for illegal dumping in Maryland can be up to a $30,000 fine and five years in jail.
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