BoatUS Foundation Virtual Summit examines solutions for boating industry-generated waste

Andrew Eggebrecht, President of Emerge Marine, and Cameron Morris, CRO of Simeon Global Consulting, explained how they use AI technology to identify and remove ADVs © BoatUS

BoatUS Foundation's "Turning the Tide Online" summit highlighted three days of educational resources, enlightening panels and keynote addresses. World Surfing Champion Shaun Tomson opened the three-day virtual summit on day 1, along with presentations on the emerging technologies, processes and best practices sweeping the nation in the management of marine waste streams.

More than 200 attendees including boating industry and recycling experts, environmental agency staff, business leaders, and community members learned about the challenges and solutions facing the nation for recycling abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs), derelict fishing gear, contaminated plastics, debris caught in trash interceptors, and agricultural and boat shrinkwrap. Attendees also took a deep dive into emerging waste stream programs for marinas and boatyards from Michigan to Rhode Island and California to Maine.

An on-demand recording of this first-of-its-kind summit is available to view at BoatUS.org/TurningTheTide. The cost is $10 for those who didn't register to attend the summit.

"Our three-day event amplified the best practices for responsible and sustainable disposal of boating-related waste streams," said BoatUS Foundation Director of Outreach Alanna Keating. "This gathering of a wide range of experts and advocates will help shape the future of existing and emerging technologies."

David Morgan, Chief Strategy Officer at Carbon Rivers, discussed how his company is creating next-generation composites from end-of-life vessels and other waste as part of a circular economy - photo © BoatUS

World champion surfer and keynote speaker Shaun Tomson kicked off the summit by sharing his personal story and journey growing up in South Africa and how he became known as one of the world's best surfers. Tomson also shared how the loss of his son inspired his books starting with his 12-point Code or "The Surfer's Code," which he has now coined as The CODE Method, an academically validated program that inspires, uplifts and connects individuals by activating internal strength to combat despair and emotionally reengages individuals through the power of purpose.

Brian Dursi, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Marine Trade Association, discussed the Rhode Island Fiberglass Vessel Recycling Program, while Troy Wood, Program Manager at the Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources Derelict Vessel Program, discussed the Washington DNR Vessel Turn-In Program. Kevin O'Brien, President, Papahanaumokuakea Marine Debris Project, Dale Gubbels, Business Development Director of Firstar Fiber, and Biologist Jennifer Lynch, National Institute of Standards and Technology, gave an overview of marine debris removal, sourcing, and recycling in the Hawaiian archipelago.

Donna Morrow, Program Manager of the Center for Marine and Coastal Stewardship and Maryland Department of Natural Resources, shared Maryland's Shrinkwrap Reduction and Recycling Approach. Matilda Larson, Planner III at the St. Lawrence County Planning Office, offered primary takeaways from a demonstration on Ag Plastics Recycling Project. James Scott-Anderson, Projects Director at Blue Parameters, spoke on End-of-Life Vessels—Issues & Solutions. Andrew Eggebrecht, President of Emerge Marine, and Cameron Morris, Chief Revenue Officer of Simeon Global Consulting, presented on Sustainable Solutions: AI-Enhanced Vessel Recovery and Fiberglass Recycling Innovation. Tanara Hall, an Environmental Specialist in Ocean County, New Jersey, presented Navigating Sustainability: Ocean County's Innovative Boater Disposal Programs.

When asked what next steps he'll take after the summit, Scott-Anderson said, "Creating collaborations to help move our project forward. It's one big ocean, and we had an amazing opportunity to make connections and to find opportunities and resources we didn't have before."

This summit was made possible through a partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program. The funding is also going toward removing abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) and creating a first-of-its-kind national database to pinpoint locations of ADVs and track their removal.

In addition to NOAA, Turning the Tide Online sponsors included Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), GEICO, Aquarius Systems, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Vallon, SeaKnots, Sun Powered Yachts, Reba Arts, Mixte Communications, and Ken Cook Company.