BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The saga of the Space Coast's “Ghost Ship” has finally come to a close — a contractor has begun removing the boat washed up by Hurricane Irma in 2016.

It's the end of the road for "Cuki"' at Spessard Holland Beach Park. The remains of the ghost ship, which captivated the surrounding community after traveling hundreds of miles up the Florida East Coast before running aground, is now a pile of rubble.

A county-hired contractor used a back-hoe to tear the 45-foot sailboat apart piece by piece.

After washing up in 2016, Cuki took a beating, as people scavenged the 1970's era boat. Its owner remained in a Key West jail on attempted murder charges.

The sailboat was set to be removed in the fall until two turtle nests popped up near its hull during the season.

The Brevard Natural Resources finally got permission from the state and sheriff's office to label 'Cuki' a 'nuisance hazard' and authorize the ship's removal.

“There have been a lot of stories since it came up as the 'Ghost Ship', mannequins on board, crazy stories tied to it. But we are just glad to get it out of here,” said Matt Culver of the Brevard Natural Resources Department.

“Every time I'm here I walk down and see if it's still here. I was here in November, half in and half out,” said Lori Demijan, who followed the 'Ghost Ship' saga.

Cost of the removal is $12,000, with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission paying 75 percent of that with a grant. The pieces will be hauled off to the landfill Thursday.