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YouTuber Faces Trial Over Derelict Yacht Exploration

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Matt Dolitsky, a New Jersey urban exploration YouTuber, goes on trial Feb. 26 for trespassing after kayaking to and filming a decaying 110-foot yacht. The vessel, owned by property manager and attorney Kersten Kortbawi, has sat wedged in a Sayreville creek for years. His video, which garnered over 337,000 views, prompted the citizen complaint.

Kortbawi, who owns the industrial park land and the yacht, claims "No Trespassing" signs were always posted. Dolitsky disputes this, suggesting signs were added after his video. The petty disorderly persons offense carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $500 fine. Previous explorers documented the vessel without legal consequence.

The case highlights the murky intersection of private property rights, abandoned vessels, and the monetization of exploration content. Dolitsky points to the yacht's rusted hull and flooded compartments as potential environmental hazards, though Kortbawi cites official inspections finding no leakage. With mediation failed, the trial will test whether curiosity about a local landmark constitutes a prosecutable offense.