Snook Islands turning into ‘Gilligan’s Island’

Boat graveyard threatens environmentally sensitive natural area in Lake Worth Beach

THE SNOOK ISLANDS in Lake Worth Beach are supposed to be an ecological gem of manmade mangroves, oyster reefs and wildlife along the Lake Worth Lagoon’s downtown shoreline.

“Gilligan’s Island” might be a more appropriate name these days.

A small but growing graveyard of boat wrecks has littered parts of the watery, environmentally-sensitive ecosystem over the past few months, within view of a public boardwalk and popular kayak trails.

The biggest eyesore: the hulking remains of “Sweet Emotion,” a 33-foot Viking yacht precariously anchored since June 24 on rocks next to mangrove islands that are home to protected shorebirds.