Supervisor Wasserman Calls for Action on Abandoned Boat on Milwaukee County Shoreline

MILWAUKEE – After more than six months, the 33-foot vessel known locally as “The S.S. Minnow” remains stranded on Milwaukee County’s lakefront between McKinley and Bradford Beaches. Chair of the Committee on Parks and Culture, Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman, is calling for swift action following a recent determination from the Office of Corporation Counsel that Milwaukee County—not federal or state agencies—is responsible for the boat’s removal and salvage.

“What started as a curiosity has become an eyesore and a liability,” said Supervisor Wasserman. “This is a dangerous situation, and it is unacceptable that a privately owned boat has been left to rot on public land. Milwaukee County should not be responsible for the cost of cleanup or the risks posed by out-of-state tourists abandoning their property.”

“According to Corporation Counsel James Davies, the County is responsible for removing the boat because it is embedded in bedrock with materials that have filled in around it over time. As a result, neither the U.S. Coast Guard nor the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has jurisdiction in this case.”

The Milwaukee County Parks Department is in the process of selecting a contractor for removal and salvage, which is expected to take place in the near future.

“We want to get this boat off our beach as soon as possible,” said Supervisor Wasserman. “And we are actively investigating who the rightful owner is. There are questions about the boat’s title, and preliminary findings suggest that the last legally registered owners may ultimately be responsible for the cost. If the title wasn’t properly transferred, then the original owners could be on the hook.”

Wasserman emphasized that the County will pursue full reimbursement and that the public should not bear the financial burden.

“This is about fairness,” said Wasserman. “Our residents should not have to pay to clean up a mess left behind by negligent visitors. We’re committed to restoring our shoreline—and holding the right people accountable.”

The vessel was abandoned in October 2024 after its owners, a couple from Mississippi, reportedly ran out of fuel during a storm. Since then, they have returned to Mississippi and have made no successful effort to retrieve the boat.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.