Space Coast communities along the water are facing ongoing challenges with abandoned vessels in the Indian River Lagoon, particularly following recent hurricanes. The derelict boats can sink, leaking pollutants and damaging the ecosystem. One problem is that many abandoned vessels belong to out-of-state owners who leave them behind, complicating removal efforts. To tackle the issue, many communities have imposed anchoring restrictions that allow for the removal of boats left unattended for over 45 days.