A fleet of abandoned boats are to be salvaged and scrapped in a partnership between the Government and Keep Bermuda Beautiful.

A government spokesman said 37 abandoned and derelict vessels whose owners unknown could not be traced had been flagged for disposal.

He said the boats, in locations from Riddell’s Bay to Lagoon Park, Stock’s Harbour, Marginal Wharf, St George’s Harbour and Great Bay, were “not only unsightly but also present a hazard to other motoring vessels”.

The cleanup, scheduled to proceed “shortly”, will involve the Ministry of Transport, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Marine and Ports Services.

Lawrence Scott, the transport minister, signed the memorandum of understanding with KBB.

Owners of derelict vessels were told they had 30 days from today to take their boats to a legal site.

Alternative locations must be in line with the Merchant Shipping Act 2002, the Marine Board Act 1962, the Marine & Ports Authority (Dumping) Regulations 1967 and other laws.

The list is posted on the Official Gazette online.

Boat owners can come forward and let the ministry dispose of their vessels at no cost by completing a consent form for Marine & Ports, which can be found on the Government’s website.

But the cost of boat disposal after 30 days could be passed on to the owners if they are identified.

The Ministry of Public Works is to provide a disposal site, and deal with any hazardous wastes removed from the boats.

The Government will be contacting the owners of abandoned or derelict boats whose identity is known before the vessels are removed.

For more information, contact pollutioncontrol@gov.bm.