Owner of stranded sailboat faces charges after failing to address FWC citations

Aerial view of the sailboat that's been grounded since October (WJXT)

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – The owner of a 40-foot sailboat that’s been grounded at Jacksonville Beach since October now has a warrant out for his arrest, according to court documents.

The boat washed ashore after the ship’s owner Luke Rehberg said its anchor broke. Since then, Rehberg has exhausted efforts to get his sailboat back into the ocean.

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Court records show that Rehberg was cited on Nov. 9 for operating a vessel without registration and failure to transfer the title so officials could remove it.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ordered Rehberg to remove the boat. He was arrested on Dec. 13 by FWC for abandoning the vessel.

MORE | ‘Sad to see her go’: Sailboat owner out of time to remove vessel from Jacksonville Beach sand

He pleaded no contest, was assessed more than $300 in fines, and was released from jail the next day.

Court records now show a warrant for Rehberg’s arrest has been issued because he still hasn’t taken care of the citation issued by FWC in November.

Rehberg told News4JAX that he intends to take care of the matter and expressed frustration with the FWC because they haven’t removed the boat.


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