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Have you seen my boat? SW Florida Facebook group helps find missing vessels after Ian

Hundreds if not thousands of boats have been spotted in unusual places across Southwest Florida after Hurricane Ian’s historic storm surge swept them away last week.

In the middle of the street, in the parking lot of an apartment complex and in people’s backyards are some of the sites where these vessels have been found.

While some people are looking for their missing yacht or jet ski, others have random boats sitting on their lawns — a potential hazard if they tilt or leak fuel.

Boats are seen blocking Bonita Springs Roa, two days after Hurricane Ian hit Florida’s west coast as a Category 4 storm, on Friday September 30, 2022.
Boats are seen blocking Bonita Springs Roa, two days after Hurricane Ian hit Florida’s west coast as a Category 4 storm, on Friday September 30, 2022.

Now a Facebook group created Thursday is trying to connect owners with their boats.

Karen Hensel Yacovelli, a member of “SW Florida Lost & Found Boats,” said Tuesday afternoon that at least five boats had ended up in backyards located next to canals in a Cape Coral neighborhood.

“Many boats all over yards in SW Cape along Sands and the side streets… from Beach to El Dorado,” she said.

The charter boat Crackerjack sits top of a car on the side of the road on San Carlos Island on Monday, October 3, 2022. caused by Hurricane Ian.
The charter boat Crackerjack sits top of a car on the side of the road on San Carlos Island on Monday, October 3, 2022. caused by Hurricane Ian.

Susan Hommes Host, another member, said Monday she is looking for her boat that was left on a lift behind her home.

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“We had just purchased it the week before the storm, so it did not yet have a name on it,” she said.

Boats run aground at Legacy Harbour Marina in Fort Myers on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, a day after Hurricane Ian hit Florida’s west coast as a Category 4 storm.
Boats run aground at Legacy Harbour Marina in Fort Myers on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, a day after Hurricane Ian hit Florida’s west coast as a Category 4 storm.

Caryl M Jaques said her boat was missing in Cape Coral only to find it the next day with its rear on top of a seawall and the bow on the water in a nearby canal. Kelly Roberts-Hinds said she also found her boat in a backyard right next to a canal.

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“We’ve located our boat for better or worse…,” she said.

According to other group members, boats have also washed up on Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs and Marco Island.

A Facebook group called “SW Florida Lost & Found Boats” is helping people find their boats after Hurricane Ian swept them away
A Facebook group called “SW Florida Lost & Found Boats” is helping people find their boats after Hurricane Ian swept them away

Here’s what to do if you find a boat

If you spot a vessel in the middle of the street or in your backyard, contact your local police department by calling its non-emergency line, Marco Island police Capt. Richard Stoltenborg told the Miami Herald. If it’s an emergency, dial 911.

Here are some of the non-emergency police phone numbers you might need:

  • Cape Coral PD: (239) 574-3223

  • Fort Myers PD: (239) 321-7700

  • Lee County Sheriff’s Office: (239) 477-1000

  • Naples PD: 239-213-4844

  • Marco Island PD: (239) 389-5050

  • Collier County Sheriff’s Office: 239-252-9300

  • Sarasota PD: (941) 263-6773

  • Punta Gorda PD: (941) 639-4111

  • Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office: (941) 639-2101

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