JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – After being stuck on the sand of Jacksonville Beach since late October, a 40-foot sailboat was demolished and removed Tuesday afternoon by a contractor hired by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
A piece of construction equipment was seen taking big chunks of the vessel and dropping them into a large dump truck as beachgoers looked on. Once the big pieces were out of the way, crews had to go back to remove the smaller pieces by hand.
MORE: Sailboat owner says series of unfortunate events led to stranding on Jacksonville Beach
Boat owner Luke Rehberg, meanwhile, is still facing an active arrest warrant issued by FWC for not signing over title to the boat.
FWC ordered Rehberg to remove the boat, and he was arrested on Dec. 13 by FWC for abandoning the vessel.
He pleaded no contest, was assessed more than $300 in fines, and was released from jail the next day.
Rehberg said he was floating off the coast to watch the air and sea show when the anchor broke, the engine failed and the waves pushed the boat onto the beach.
MORE: ‘Sad to see her go’: Sailboat owner out of time to remove vessel from Jacksonville Beach sand
Rehberg, of Thomasville, Georgia, estimated it would cost about $30,000 to repair and remove the boat.
The boat, which was located near 16th Avenue North, had become an unofficial tourist attraction since it grounded on Oct. 23.
News4JAX reached out to Rehberg for comment. We are waiting to hear back.
