PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — Though boats are a common sight in counties surrounding the Chesapeake Bay, abandoned vessels have become a significant issue in Prince George’s County.
During a County Council meeting on Feb. 11, the CB-002-2025 legislation was received favorably after undergoing amendments. The bill is expected to be finalized within the next month.
The primary goal of the bill is to discourage the abandonment of boats on highways, roads, and public streets. Local residents have also voiced concerns about abandoned watercraft littering their neighborhoods.
Parking a watercraft on public roadways can disrupt traffic flow, and one council member described abandoned boats as an eyesore that may impact property values.
Prince George’s County Council Member Eric Olsen, who sponsored CB-002-2025, explained the issue:
“We also have the quality-of-life issues. Sometimes these boats are deteriorating and abandoned. They’re an eyesore. They’re negatively affecting neighborhood appearance and property values.”
Olsen also noted that removing derelict boats from public streets could ease road congestion.
“Unlike typical vehicles, boats are often larger and create unnecessary road congestion when left on public streets. Sometimes cars have to go around, crossing the center line, to go around them.”
The bill would allow the government to issue penalties for noncompliance.
According to the bill, CB-002-2025 would:
- Establish fines and penalties for parking privately owned watercraft on public streets, roads, highways, and rights of way in the county.
- Permit towing and impounding of any personally owned watercraft after multiple violations.
- Violators would first receive a warning and a 72-hour period to remove their watercraft.
Those who fail to comply could face:
- A $250 fine
- A $500 fine for continued noncompliance
- Impoundment of the vessel
- Additionally, those who illegally abandon boats in Prince George’s County could face criminal charges for illegal dumping, which carries harsher penalties.
A local resident, William, shared his experience with abandoned watercraft during a recent County Council meeting:
“On a twice-a-day basis, I walk my dog around the corner. For about the last two years, the first eyesore I come across is a derelict boat that’s been parked on the street for that period of time. It hasn’t moved, except for once last fall.”
William described an incident that underscored the safety risks posed by abandoned boats:
“I was woken up on a Sunday morning by a loud crash. When I went out to walk the dog, I noticed that somebody had smashed into the boat and pushed it into the front yard of this guy’s house. It’s not his boat; it just seems to be parked in the front of his house.”
William’s account, along with similar community complaints, highlights the negative impact abandoned boats have on local neighborhoods.
Olsen hopes the bill will deter boat owners from abandoning their vessels and encourage responsible parking, freeing up public spaces and improving roadway appearance in Prince George’s County.
For more details on CB-002-2025, visit the official webpage.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
Here’s the irony . Boat owners will haul their boats for miles up and down the roads to their favorite water ways .. Yet , can’t drive to the junk yard to get rid of their worn out junk ..
The junk yards dont take boats, hence why they are left on the side of the road, in park and rides etc