A boat abandoned in Mill Creek is first on the list of debris that will be removed from Oyster Bay Harbor on Saturday, May 19, the annual Oyster Bay Harbor Cleanup Day. The April 15/16 Nor'easter carried the motorboat under the Beekman Beach bridge and into the Mill Pond Creek where it was trapped for several days.

The WaterFront Center staff saw the boat and reported it to the Bay Constables.

The Bay Constables using the boat registration number contacted the owner but discovered that he had sold the boat to another person who had not re-registered the boat. The original owner did not want the boat.

The boat was "walked" out of the creek by WFC staff members Mike McGrory and Gary Cassidy on Saturday, April 21. "They put lines on it and walked it under the bridge and then the bay constables took it away," said WaterFront Center Executive Director Gaye Verdi. Center staff had seen children playing on the boat and they were concerned an accident might happen. The boat was beached half on the sand and half in the water. The young people were seen trying to move the boat. "We were concerned with their safety," said Ms. Verdi. "It could have been leaking fuel."

After the Bay Constables took possession of the boat they brought it to a courtesy mooring in the harbor.

"It will be collected as debris during the Oyster Bay Harbor Cleanup on May 19," said a town spokesperson. "The current owner has not stepped forward to take the boat. Since the new owner never registered it, unless he can prove he owns it, the previous owner has jurisdiction over the boat, and he said, 'just get rid of it.'"

The Town of Oyster Bay and the North Oyster Bay Baymen's Association (NOBBA) will, once again, join forces to sponsor the annual Oyster Bay Harbor Cleanup Day, on Saturday, May 19.

"For the past 14 years, baymen, town employees and volunteers have gathered together, rolled up their sleeves and conducted a thorough cleanup of beaches and shoreline areas along Oyster Bay harbor," Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto said. "While some people walk along the shoreline collecting debris, others work from boats, picking up trash and even discarded boats. It's nothing short of inspiring to see people of all ages pitching in to help keep the harbor and beaches clean."

Volunteers are being sought to participate in the cleanup, which will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Interested individuals and groups can get further information by calling the town's Department of Environmental Resources at 677-5823. Volunteers are also welcome to sign up the day of the event. The central meeting place will be Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park launching ramps, Larrabee Avenue, Oyster Bay.

"Oyster Bay Harbor is an important natural resource, providing recreational and commercial opportunities, as well as serving as critical habitat for shellfish, fish and other types of marine life," Supervisor Venditto said. "The beach cleanups help preserve the scenic beauty of the beaches and shoreline areas and help improve water quality by removing debris. They also reduce potential harm to coastal wildlife and marine life. Sea birds and fish can become fatally entangled in garbage such as discarded fishing line or six-pack yokes. They may also mistake small pieces like bits of Styrofoam or plastic jugs, balloons or plastic bags for food and ingest them, usually with fatal results.

"If you swim, boat or fish in Oyster Bay Harbor, or just want to help protect and enhance the beauty and environmental integrity of this beautiful waterway, I invite you to join us on May 19," Supervisor Venditto said. "If you can't stay for the entire day, even a couple of hours will make a difference. And, you will leave with the satisfaction of knowing that you helped improve the environment and ensure that our beaches and harbor will be preserved for your enjoyment and the enjoyment of generations to come."