News

Actions

Artificial reef dedicated to 5 Palm Beach County boat accident victims

Posted at 12:07 PM, Jun 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-27 20:38:47-04

The Palm Beach County Commission dedicated an artificial reef Monday morning in honor of five residents who lost their lives in two tragic incidents at sea.

Tequesta teens Austin Stephanos and Perry Cohen disappeared last July during a boating trip.

Fernandez and Jaden Jones and Willis Bell drowned during a fishing trip in April.

Robert Stewart was the only one to survive that incident and said that he's grateful the county honored his family.

The dedication took place at Manatee Lagoon, an FPL Eco-Discovery Center near the Port of Palm Beach.

The 170-foot supply ship, the M/V Ana Cecilia, a vessel that was originally confiscated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, will be turned into the artificial reef.

It will be scuttled this summer to create marine habitat about 1.25 miles off the Lake Worth Inlet.  

Plaques will be affixed to the ship honoring the memories of the five victims.