COCOA, Fla. – The Rockledge Public Works Department Monday removed a bench on the Indian River that workers said was in danger of falling into the water in Ian’s aftermath, minor wreckage compared to past hurricanes.
Last week, one boat crashed into the rocks near Cocoa Village and hours later, a second boat crashed closer to the height of the storm. That boat has since been removed, likely by the owner, but the first boat that crashed was still there Monday, according to the city.
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Two boats crashing is minor compared to Hurricanes Matthew and Irma when Brevard County said dozens of unmoored boats had to be removed after those storms.
The damages in 2017 alone totaled more than $1 million and resulted in city officials replacing the wooden boardwalk at Riverfront Park with concrete overlooks.
The city of Cocoa said there was no structural damage to Cocoa Village during Ian.
“No erosion, maybe some minor shingle damage,” Riverfront resident Mark Taffet said.
Taffet’s house has a view of the wrecked boat. Judging by how it looks, he thinks the boat was possibly abandoned.
“We probably should have something a little bit more efficient around here that takes these boats that run aground and after a reasonable amount of time goes by, the boats are picked up and they do something with them,” Taffet said. “That boat will probably sit there for six months.”
The city added that, as a result of the storm, small boating ramps at Lee Wenner Park are closed until the water levels of the river recede enough to allow for a safe inspection of those ramps.
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