There’s money to be made by removing derelict boats from public waters. Florida FWC has $216,247.50 available for grants. Last year’s hurricane Irma added to the burden of vessels already derelict for other reasons.

Applications can be made until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8, but a lot of work has to be done before submitting a proposal.

The application has to prove that due legal process was given to the owner of each boat: “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,” FWC says.

There’s a separate process for rapid removal, with a deadline of 5 p.m. on Sept. 15, a Saturday.

For guidelines and application forms, look online at www.MyFWC.com/DVGrant or contact Phil Horning at 850-617-9540 or DVGrant@MyFWC.com.

Death spurs new safety standards

Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) Commission moved quickly in June to implement “Ellie’s Law,” which the Legislature enacted to regulate airboat tour operators — a reaction to the accidental death of Elizabeth Goldenberg.

Airboat tours were pretty much unregulated when the Goldenberg family, from Pennsylvania, took an Everglades airboat ride in May last year to celebrate Elizabeth’s graduation from the University of Miami. The boat flipped, throwing all aboard into the water. Ellie was pinned beneath the boat and drowned.

In the aftermath, the family discovered that there were virtually no training or safety standards required of tour operations.

“Anyone can do whatever the hell they want,” said Ellie’s father, David Goldenberg. He devoted himself to pushing for legislation and succeeded. Airboat tour industry representatives supported Ellie’s Law.

A year and a month after the tragedy, the Commission approved standards required of airboat operators, instructors and companies.

Implementation of the rules will be effective July 1 next year, but tour operators are free to begin compliance right away. All the requirements are detailed online at https://bit.ly/2MBC9nQ.