Old Bridge Marina cleanup begins after boats left mangled since Hurricane Ian

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—Nearly four years after Hurricane Ian left boats mangled and flipped upside down at the Old Bridge Marina near the Edison Bridge, cleanup efforts finally began Wednesday.

WINK News was the only news crew on scene to witness the progress. 

The boats, crumbling in the water, have been a stark reminder of the storm's destruction. Just a week ago, WINK News spoke with neighbor Desiree Peters about the marina.

"They're garbage," Peters said. "They need to be pulled out of here and trashed. It's an unsafe thing, especially for kids."

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On Wednesday, the conversation was different. Peters said the cleanup began shortly after WINK's initial visit.

"The day after you guys interviewed, and I think it's because they heard the kids are in the water, it's being cleared up," Peters said. "God answers prayers."

The marina is now clearing out. For Peters, it was never about the view of the boats at the Old Bridge Marina—it was about giving the community a home without debris lurking around the bend.

"It's amazing, nobody can get hurt, the kids that swim in this water, it's all cleared up," Peters said. "It's getting cleared up."

The City of Fort Myers says the property has a new owner who is working on a new plan for the marina. It's a sight many people, not just Peters, have been waiting for.

"The crew, oh my gosh, they even came up to the side to pick up all the rubbish," Peters said. "It was amazing, all the stuff they pulled out of the water."

When asked what comes to mind when she thinks about the day she'll look out and no longer see the boats, Peters had a simple answer.

"I give the glory to God," Peters said. "I thank him for answering prayers."

WINK News reached out to the City of Fort Myers for more information on the debris clearing but has not heard back.