For Lack of an Anchor....

A houseboat that had been anchored just outside the Cedar Cove Marina for about ten days broke loose and eventually smashed into pilings at the Island Hopper dock.

Tuesday morning, October 17, the Houseboat owner, "Tee" Lindley was injured as he was worked on the temporarily moored damaged vessel. By late afternoon efforts to keep the vessel from sinking failed. However, by 5:00 PM, October 18, the boat had been refloated and loaded on a large trailer by Steenhatchie's Tow Boats US, at an estimated cost of $5,000.

Refloated vessel. Note hull damage.

Cedar Key Commissioner Sue Colson, one of many bystanders, expressed concern about water contamination (sewage) from live-in boats moored near aquaculture leases. The sewage pump-out station on the Levy County dock has been unavailable for more than two years due to closure following storm damage. Repair of that dock has been delayed by lack of structural engineering plans needed before the dock can be replaced.

Convoy of trucks pulling the houseboat from the water.