Hurricane Ian made landfall near Fort Myers Beach on September 28, 2022, as one of the most destructive storms in Florida history. The storm surge — reaching 15 feet in some areas — was catastrophic for Lee County's boating community. Thousands of vessels were destroyed, displaced, sunk, or left in situations that still require resolution.
Hurricane Ian's Impact on Lee County Boats
- Thousands of vessels damaged or destroyed across Lee County
- Cape Coral's 400+ mile canal system saw widespread vessel displacement
- Fort Myers Beach experienced near-total destruction of its marina infrastructure
- Sanibel and Captiva Islands were devastated — many vessels deposited inland by storm surge
- Pine Island Sound saw major commercial and recreational vessel losses
The FWC Derelict Vessel Program addressed vessels in public waterways, but private property situations — vessels on land, in private canals, or on private docks — require the property or vessel owner to take action.
If You Still Have an Ian Boat
Years after Ian, we're actively working on Lee County situations including:
- Vessels displaced onto private property that remain there
- Partially submerged vessels in private canals not fully addressed initially
- Vessels on Sanibel, Captiva, or Pine Island that proved logistically difficult to access
- Insurance total-loss vessels never formally removed and disposed of
- Vessels with disputed ownership or title complications from the storm
If you're in any of these situations, call us. We'll assess where things stand and advise on the best path forward.
Insurance Claims — Still Possible?
If you haven't yet filed an Ian insurance claim for your vessel, the window may still be open depending on your policy language. Florida law generally requires insurers to honor timely claims — but what counts as "timely" depends on your specific policy.
Even if your claim was initially denied or underpaid, you may have recourse through a public adjuster, an insurance dispute attorney, or the Florida Department of Financial Services resolution process. We can provide current documentation of your vessel's condition and removal to support a reopened or disputed claim.
Cape Coral Canal Situations
Ian created widespread canal displacement in Cape Coral — vessels pushed out of slips, across canals, and into neighboring properties. The general rule: the registered vessel owner is responsible for removal costs regardless of how the vessel got there. If the owner is unknown or unlocatable, the process involves FWC notification and potentially county action. We've navigated dozens of post-Ian Cape Coral canal situations and can advise on yours.
Sanibel, Captiva, and Fort Myers Beach
Logistics for barrier island vessel removal are complex: bridge and causeway weight limits affect equipment access, temporary and permanent restoration changes have affected access routes, and some areas require coordination with island-specific authorities. We have experience accessing all Lee County barrier island locations and maintain working relationships with relevant local authorities.
Pine Island Sound Access
Pine Island Sound's extremely shallow flats require specialized shallow-draft equipment most general contractors don't have. Our Sound operations use air-lift systems, shallow-draft support vessels, and specific rigging designed for extremely shallow-water recovery. It's more complex and expensive than open-water work — but it's what the environment requires.
Your Next Steps
- Call us at (786) 981-4777
- Describe your situation — vessel location, condition, insurance status
- We assess and advise on the best path forward
- Free written quote for removal
- Documentation support for any ongoing or reopened insurance matters
It's never too late to resolve an Ian boat situation — but the sooner you act, the simpler and less expensive the resolution.
Hurricane Ian Boat in Lee County?
We're still helping Lee County owners resolve Ian situations. Free assessment.
