Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Dynamic 40 Leaderboard

BoatUS Foundation and NOAA partnership to fund the removal of 300+ abandoned derelict vessels

by BoatUS 31 Jul 15:18 PDT
This hidden cove adjacent to Roque Bluffs State Park, Maine, which has been used as a local dumping ground for end-of-life commercial vessels for years, will have ADVs removed as part of a groundbreaking removal program © John Noll, State of Maine

In a first-of-its-kind effort across six states and two unincorporated territories, dozens of coastal communities will see a significant investment in removing more than 300 abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) from their local waters.

With four-year project funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program, administered through the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, the ADV grants will fund removal and education efforts in communities heavily impacted by ADVs and the navigation, safety and pollution hazards they pose.

The projects were selected by a panel of independent salvage experts, state boating advocates, nonprofit research organization and planning agency staff under a program created by the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation with NOAA funding to remove abandoned and damaged boats from our nation's coasts and the Great Lakes.

Work on the ADV removal projects is expected to mobilize salvage crews across each of the announced grant areas later this year as local environmental reviews are completed. Both recreational and commercial ADVs are targeted for removal.

The awarded states, communities, organizations and programs include:

  • Metlakatla Indian Community, Alaska
  • City & Borough of Yakutat, Alaska
  • Sitka Conservation Society, Alaska
  • Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, Louisiana
  • Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation, Washington
  • State of Maine
  • U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources
  • North Carolina Coastal Federation
  • Oregon Department of State Lands
  • Port Authority of Guam

"This is the first coordinated ADV removal effort across the country and across time zones to address the issue head on," said BoatUS Foundation Director of Outreach Alanna Keating. "It follows years of good work by NOAA as well as dedicated partners in removal efforts to rid our waters of these hazards. However, there's never been an effort before at this scale, and we're proud of making it happen for the boating public and affected communities."

The ADV removal effort also includes creation of a first-of-its-kind national database to pinpoint locations of ADVs and track their removal. NOAA grant funds also document ADV prevention and removal activities to share with the public and support a national dialogue and education efforts on boating-related debris disposal. This includes the 2nd Annual "Turning the Tide" summit scheduled for December 2026 in New Orleans, which will offer attendees a range of resources, enlightening panels and keynote addresses focusing on ADVs and marine waste streams.

Related Articles

TowBoatUS expands to Lay Lake, Alabama
Capt. Matthew Kronen opens second on-water towing location for boaters Capt. Matthew Kronen, owner of TowBoatUS Logan Martin Lake, opens second on-water towing location for boaters. Posted on 30 Aug
TowBoatUS 24/7 Galveston opens
One of the largest recreational boating communities in the country just got improved Part of nationwide TowBoatUS Network and second local towing port for TowBoatUS Clear Lake owners Capt. Pip and Holly Bauerlein. Posted on 27 Aug
TowBoatUS Old Hickory Lake under new ownership
Helping recreational boaters get home 24/7 after a breakdown The 24/7 on-water towing and assistance service for boaters, TowBoatUS Old Hickory Lake, has a new owner. Capt. Robert Butler, owner of TowBoatUS San Diego, purchased the business recently and his nephew, Capt. Travis Basom. Posted on 16 Aug
TowBoatUS expands in Louisiana with 3 new ports
TowBoatUS Lafitte, TowBoatUS Venice, TowBoatUS Grand Isle Louisiana grow nationwide towing fleet Professional 24/7 on-water assistance for boaters and anglers on the Mississippi River Delta is now available with the opening of three new TowBoatUS ports. Posted on 7 Aug
New Online BoatUS Foundation Course
Taking on Biggest Cause of Accidents: Distracted Boating A quick look at the annual U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating accident statistics shows “operator inattention” and “improper lookout” to be perennial placeholders in the top five primary contributing factors in boating accidents. Posted on 8 Jul
TowBoatUS Sacramento opens in Delta Region
Provides 24/7 on-water assistance to recreational boaters California's Delta region, an incredible boating paradise and home to more than 700 miles of navigable waterways and thousands of recreational vessels, now has professional on-water assistance available with the opening of TowBoatUS Sacramento. Posted on 3 Jul
Capt. Doug & Melanie open TowBoatUS Rocky Point
Capt. Doug & Melanie Nelson open TowBoatUS Rocky Point, Minnesota Straddling the U.S.-Canada border, Lake of the Woods is a vast expanse of pristine waters more than 70 miles wide with an incredible 65,000 miles of shoreline and nearly 15,000 islands. Posted on 12 Jun
Kathy Sinnett honored with Women's Sailing Award
Continuing the tradition in epitomizing the leadership to promote chances for women Since 1999, the BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award has recognized extraordinary women who have inspired, educated and enriched the lives of women through sailing. Posted on 11 Jun
All the hurricane preparation info boaters need
Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 Recreational boaters whose vessels have been impacted by a hurricane and came out relatively unscathed know it all starts with a plan. Posted on 29 May
Capt. Anthony new owner of TowBoatUS Santa Cruz
Capt. Anthony Capriccio is the new owner of the company that provides 24/7 on-water towing A former employee and captain for TowBoatUS Santa Cruz, an on-water towing and assistance company for boaters, has stepped up into the ownership role at the company. Posted on 25 May
Selden 2020 - FOOTERAllen Dynamic 40 FooterRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER