Two Crashed Boats Removed from Santa Barbara's East Beach

Cleanup crews raced to clear the vessels before the next round of storms hit the area.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Two boats that had washed ashore on East Beach in Santa Barbara, California were removed by cleanup crews prior to the arrival of the next storm system. One of the boats was crushed and removed to prevent it from being tossed against nearby rocks and breaking apart, which could have created a maritime hazard. The second boat was also cleared from the beach on Friday afternoon.

Why it matters

East Beach in Santa Barbara is a popular recreation area, and the presence of damaged boats on the shore posed a potential danger to beachgoers and the local marine environment. Removing the vessels before the next round of storms was important to avoid further damage and environmental impact.

The details

Marborg Industries, a local cleanup contractor, was tasked with removing the two boats from East Beach. One of the boats was already crushed and was removed on Thursday to prevent it from being thrown against the nearby rocks and breaking apart. The second boat was removed on Friday afternoon, just ahead of the arrival of the next storm system expected to bring rough waves to the area on Sunday night.

  • The boats washed ashore during the recent rain and strong ocean swell.
  • The first boat was removed on Thursday, February 13, 2026.
  • The second boat was removed on Friday, February 14, 2026 around 3:30 p.m.
  • The next storm system is expected to hit the area on Sunday night, February 16, 2026.

The players

Marborg Industries

A local cleanup contractor tasked with removing the two crashed boats from East Beach.

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The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of proactive measures to address potential hazards on public beaches, especially in the face of extreme weather events. The swift action taken by local authorities and cleanup crews to remove the damaged boats before the next storm helped to ensure the safety of beachgoers and the local marine environment.