(FP)
Remove your boats!
That is the advice from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in conjunction with the Fisheries Division, to boat owners whose vessels have been left at boatyards and other areas across the island.
This comes as the Ministry is preparing to serve notice on boat owners to remove their vessels under Phase One of the Removal and Disposal of Abandoned and Derelict Vessels.
Persons with vessels at the Bridgetown, Oistins, Christ Church and Consett Bay, St. John boatyards and other areas across the island should call the Fisheries Division within seven days on receipt of the notice to make arrangements to have the boats removed.
They may contact Acting Senior Vessel Inspector at the Fisheries Division, Dennis Leslie, at 426-5973, 427-8480 or 426-3745. Alternatively, they may also contact Manager at the Bridgetown Public Market, Milanese Holder, at 227-8960 or 431-0202.
Chief Fisheries Officer, Stephen Willoughby, said that the fuel and oil must be removed from the boats to avoid contaminating the environment.
He added that efforts were being undertaken to improve the environment of the boatyards, as the derelict and abandoned boats harboured rats, mosquitoes and vagrants.