Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman isn't standing idly by as the unwanted S.S. Minnow continues to loom over Milwaukee County's scenic lakefront. The call for action follows a revelation from the Office of Corporation Counsel that places responsibility for the vessel's removal squarely on the shoulders of the county. “What started as a curiosity has become an eyesore and a liability,” Wasserman said of the abandoned boat that has plagued the shoreline between McKinley and Bradford Beaches for over half a year.
The issue of the stranded 33-foot vessel is no longer just about blight, it has evolved into concerns about safety and financial accountability. Although the initial fascination with the boat has waned, the county, according to Corporation Counsel James Davies, must now contend with the removal of a privately owned property abandoned by out-of-state tourists, with a statement, "the County is responsible for removing the boat because it is embedded in bedrock with materials that have filled in around it over time." Meanwhile, the Milwaukee County Parks Department forges ahead in its search to secure a contractor for the clean-up operation.
Efforts to unearth the rightful owner of the decrepit boat are underway, given the murky circumstances surrounding its title. Reports suggest that a Mississippi couple, who last legally owned the vessel, could be financially liable should the title not have been appropriately transferred. Wasserman stresses the importance of avoiding the imposition of this financial burden on the public. "Our residents should not have to pay to clean up a mess left behind by negligent visitors," he asserted, aiming to ensure that the shoreline is restored without resorting to taxpayer dollars.
The S.S. Minnow became a permanent fixture on the beach in October 2024, the predicament following a storm that left the boat's owners, a couple from Mississippi stranded and out of fuel. Despite their claim on the boat, they have since returned home, with no successful attempt to rectify the situation. Wasserman is adamant that Milwaukee County will "pursue full reimbursement," emphasizing, "This is about fairness." The community's resolve is clear—they are united in the quest to reclaim their beloved shoreline, and hold those at fault accountable.
