City of Tampa unveils new trash skimming boat

The new trash boat is part of the launch of an initiative called "Keep it Clean, Tampa."

TAMPA – Mayor Jane Castor christened Tampa's newest addition Saturday morning with the ceremonial breaking of a champagne bottle across the boat's bow.

“This is a personal passion of mine, ensuring that our community is clean each and every day.” Said Castor.

The boat is called the Litter Skimmer, which works as a conveyor system with two wings that collect garbage and debris on and just beneath the surface of the water.

“The good thing about this vessel is will be able to pick up all the floating organic materials, as well the logs and boating hazards that coming from the storms." Said Walt Townsend, the boat's operator.

The boat will serve Sparkman Channel all the way up to Ybor Turning Basin, all the way up the Hillsborough river as far as Armature Works. It will also skim around Bayshore Boulevard.

The city also announced they are receiving a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for $500,000 to study where the trash is coming from.