In the spring of 2024, the City of Helsinki began to post tow-away warnings on boats that have been left on its shores without permission. If the boats remain un-towed by their owners after the posting of the tow-away warning, the City will dispose of these boats from public areas.
In July and August, the City posted tow-away warnings on 78 unauthorised boats on the eastern coastline. The tow-away warning allows for one month to remove these boats, after which they are considered to be abandoned property. Disposal of abandoned boats in Stansvik, Ramsinniemi and Kallahti will begin in September-October.
It would be preferred for the owners themselves to tow their boats to authorised boat-storage locations before the City disposes of them.
Tow-away warnings will continue to be posted on abandoned boats
Boats that are abandoned on the seashores may be harmful to the environment, if they are allowed to decay in the water. The City of Helsinki will continue to post tow-away warnings on abandoned boats in other public areas as well.
It is primarily the responsibility of the owner of a boat that has been posted with a tow-away warning to tow the boat away, but if the owner is not found, the City may take measures to remove an abandoned boat.
Broken fibreglass boats will be disposed of as hazardous waste, and broken wood boats will be transported to the landfill. If a boat removed by the City is found to be watertight and/or saleable, it will be put in storage for three months, after which it will be put up for auction. If a boat has been put in storage and the owner wants to have it back, they must provide a proof of ownership as well as to compensate for the transportation and storage costs.
Send your enquiries regarding removed boats to ulkoilma@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program).
