HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Crews in Hillsborough County on Wednesday successfully removed a 37-foot sailboat from the Alafia River.
According to county officials, heavy winds sent the boat adrift a few weeks ago in the river near U.S. 41. The boat's mast then hit a power line and caught fire, along with knocking out power to the area.
After it caught fire, the boat sank. While in the river is was making it difficult for other boats to get by.
Divers from Tampa PD and HCSO attempted to get the boat out of the channel on Wednesday. County officials say it's the biggest boat they've tried to move without hiring a professional contracting company.
"It took a while but they managed to float the boat off the bottom and tow it to the boat ramp. It will now be demolished and taken to the landfill," county officials said.
