What was a 100-foot "Yellow Submarine" doing in the Florida Keys for decades before its removal?
A 96-foot, rust-covered, yellow derelict submarine was removed from the waters off the Florida Keys near Marathon in one of the most unusual and challenging projects in Monroe County's derelict vessel removal program, officials said Monday.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission defines a derelict vessel as one that is wrecked, junked, or in substantially dismantled condition in Florida waters.
County officials said the operation was carried out safely and efficiently by a pre-qualified marine contractor under the coordination of the Monroe County Marine Resources Office.
The story behind the Florida Keys' "Yellow Submarine"
According to USA Today, the vessel was once part of a Marathon man's decades-long dream to turn a 100-foot-long steel tube into an eco-tourism attraction. Locally dubbed the "Yellow Submarine" despite its faded, dirty-red exterior, it had been moored in a Boot Key canal since the late 1990s.
The former owner told a reporter in 2008 that he rescued the structure from a Chicago scrapyard and had it barged to the Keys, envisioning it as a powered submarine for tourists. But the plan stalled when he discovered it would cost about $750,000 to make it seaworthy. Inside, the vessel was little more than an empty steel shell.
Monroe officials cite environmental, safety concerns for the removal
Florida law allows authorities to seize and remove abandoned vessels, billing the owner for cleanup. The "Yellow Submarine" is one of hundreds of derelict vessels taken from Keys waters in recent years.
"Derelict vessels, whether a small skiff or a massive submarine, pose serious threats to the environment, boater safety, and navigation," Senior Administrator for Marine Resources Brittany Burtner said in a statement.
"Removing this submarine is not only a win for our waterways, but also a reminder of the importance of prevention," Burtner added.
According to Monroe County officials, 134 derelict vessels have been removed from Keys waters in the first six months of 2025 through a partnership with the FWC. The county also promotes FWC's Vessel Turn-In Program, which allows owners to surrender at-risk vessels before they become derelict.
Officials said two significant upcoming removals include a shrimp boat off Islamorada and a grounded boat off Bahia Honda State Park. Those removals are scheduled within the next week, weather permitting.
