JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Luke Rehberg, the stranded boater at Jacksonville Beach, is no longer planning on getting his vessel towed away.
Efforts to bring his boat back in the water were unsuccessful. Instead, Rehberg told First Coast News that he has made the decision to demolish the boat. His boat, the 'Aqualon,' has been sitting at the beach shoreline for more than a week. Rehberg mentioned how his vessel has accumulated costly damages; he'd rather dismantle the boat and invest the cost of repairing it, into a different vessel.
"It's been a trial for a guy who wants to be alone," Rehberg said. "Oh, it's sad."
The boat is also his home. The Aqualon has inadvertently become a sight to see at Jacksonville Beach. Over the last week, people would approach the vessel to take pictures. However, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says it needs to go.
Rehberg has 15 days to get the boat off the beach. He says the demise of it began when he experienced 'engine issues' during rough waters. The Aqualon hasn't just been a site where beachgoers are taking photos with it, however, as Rehberg says people have stolen from his boat and the damages kept piling on since it's been stranded.
"She's [the Aqualon] got a lot of rotor damage and now certainly, a little bit of hole damage," Rehberg said.
The Florida man told First Coast News that he would rather not risk sinking the Aqualon and pay more than he already has to. He also says the city of Jacksonville Beach will dispose of the boat by land and then he will be granted some time to remove everything he can from it. Rehberg says he will take the salvaged pieces from the Aqualon and apply it to another vessel.
A GoFundMe was made eight days ago on Oct. 24 to support Rehberg. It has since garnered more than $2,400. The amount Rehberg says he'd need to clear everything is $15,000. There isn't a set date on when he will begin dismantling the boat, however, the boater expressed how he will need all the help he can get with removing items.
There is a small silver lining to this situation.
Rehberg says he enjoyed being on his boat out at sea because he wanted to avoid being around people. After experiencing the kindness of strangers who tried to help him get in the water, Rehberg says his faith in humanity has been restored. He expressed how he feels obligated to show the public where the donated monies went toward.
"There's two rules to sailing," Rehberg said. "You can go anywhere you want and anytime you want, but you can only pick one."
The Aqualon has to be gone by Thursday, Nov. 16.