Hillsborough County’s Marine Safety Unit
Hillsborough County’s Marine Safety Unit
Stephen Decatur, Alan Grinaldi, and Blake Milner
A typical day begins with checking weather conditions and planning around winds, tides, and forecasts. Weather is one of the biggest factors affecting the team’s work, especially wind. The navigational signs and channel markers that they build, maintain, and repair weigh anywhere from 18 to 38 pounds! As you can imagine, trying to hoist up and hold a very heavy and cumbersome sign against the wind while battling large wave swells, poses its challenges. Following major storms, the crew shifts its focus to clearing hazards from waterways, repairing damaged infrastructure around boat ramps and docks, and reestablishing navigational markers and informational signs, ensuring county waterways remain safe for public use.
Marine Safety Unit recovering derelict jet ski.
The Marine Safety Unit is part of the county's Code Enforcement department, and as such their responsibilities extend well beyond navigational aids. The team conducts boat ramp inspections, identifies potential hazards, assists boaters when needed, and promotes safe boating practices. While out on the water, they also keep an eye out for injured wildlife, environmental concerns, illegal activity, and vessels that may be at risk of becoming derelict.
One of the team’s most important responsibilities is the removal of derelict vessels. These abandoned or severely damaged boats can create navigational hazards, harm the environment, and detract from the beauty of Tampa Bay’s waterways. Through Florida’s voluntary vessel turn-in programs and county partnerships, the Marine Safety Unit helps remove these vessels before they become larger problems. You can read more about the Florida Vessel Turn-In Program here.
Recovering and removing sunken derelict vessel at boat ramp
The process is far more complicated than simply towing a boat away. “Lifting or floating larger vessels and each case being unique is a constant challenge,” Stephen explains. “The size and condition of the derelict vessels can be very challenging, and stepping back to re-evaluate is necessary to avoid injury or damaging equipment.”
When retrieving a derelict vessel, divers may first assess the sunken vessel’s condition before lift bags are used to carefully raise it from the water. The team then removes any fuel, oil, or other environmental hazards before dismantling the vessel for disposal. This work frequently involves collaboration with Code Enforcement's Rapid Response Unit, Public Works, and CELM's Conservation Park Rangers.
Newly constructed informational sign ready to be put up by the team
What stood out most during our time with the crew was the strong sense of teamwork. The three members of the unit bring different backgrounds and experiences that complement one another perfectly. Stephen and Alan are both retired from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, bringing decades of law enforcement and marine operations experience. Blake comes from the private sector, with years of commercial salvage and marine towing experience along the Gulf Coast.
“The team is like a big family,” Blake says. “It is small, but everyone brings their own strengths to the table.” Alan agrees, noting that the group’s diverse experience creates a well-rounded team. “We all work well together as a team and share the workload evenly. We have excellent morale and get along very well working together.” That dynamic in a team is especially important when working in challenging conditions. As Stephen puts it, their ability to share ideas and trust one another creates “a great work atmosphere with a lot of trust while on the water working in all types of conditions.”
For all three team members, helping others remains one of the most rewarding parts of the job. Whether it’s assisting stranded boaters, removing environmental hazards, or making waterways safer for everyone, their work has a direct impact on the community. "I very much enjoy working outside, especially in a marine environment,” Alan says. “It makes me feel good to know that our work helps both the environment and the people who use the waterways."
At the end of the day, the team does not measure success solely by the number of projects completed, but by their ability to make a positive impact and return safely to shore. “Being on the water installing signs, assisting boaters, or dealing with other issues and making it back to the dock safely with no equipment problems or injuries to team members,” Stephen says, “that’s a successful day.”
Through their dedication, expertise, and teamwork, the Marine Safety Unit helps ensure that Hillsborough County’s waterways remain safe, navigable, and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike. Their work may often happen behind the scenes, but its impact can be seen across Tampa Bay every day.
