Multiple boats removed from North Shore as cruise ship gets blocked from docking
On Friday morning, a cruise ship attempting to dock on the Allegheny River at Pittsburgh's North Shore ran into a bit of trouble when it found several boats parked where they were not permitted to be.
Perhaps Pittsburghers have seen it before on the Allegheny River: The American Heritage cruise ship returned, but two boats were illegally docked, keeping it from anchoring down on the North Shore.
This has been an issue for years - boats not adhering to the docking rules or just being completely abandoned- but last year, new enforcement was signed into law.
Pennsylvania's Act 28 was implemented in January, and it enables the Sports & Exhibition Authority, which regulates the area, to remove abandoned boats without liability. The law states that the board must give 14 days notice before removing the boat and 30 days notice before disposing of it. From there, the ownership of the boat is relinquished, and severe penalties are enforced.
In order to qualify as abandoned, the boat has to be on the property for 48 hours, which came into play on Friday morning during the blocking of the cruise ship.
However, on Friday, it was clear that the post-permitted use notice was not being abided by, as American Heritage workers were seen physically removing the docked boats out of the way. It clearly stated, both on the sign and on the SEA's website, that boaters must not block or interfere with commercially licensed users of the park and the river's edge.
"The Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County have identified the boats that are not adhering to the North Shore Riverfront Park rules and regulations," the board said in a statement provided to KDKA-TV. "[We] have initiated the at-risk, derelict, and abandoned boat notification process with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The respective boat owners' contact information has been provided, and notices have been issued, stating their boats must be removed within 14 calendar days after receipt of the notice."
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission said when they receive this information, they move as quickly as possible, usually within a day, and that triggers a certified letter to be sent out, and then the clock starts ticking.
