National Push to Remove Abandoned Boats Targets 300+ Derelicts Across U.S. Waters
In a landmark effort to tackle the growing problem of abandoned boats in U.S. waterways, more than 300 derelict and end-of-life vessels will be removed from coasts, rivers, and harbors across the country. The initiative—backed by a grant from NOAA’s Marine Debris Program and administered by the BoatUS Foundation—marks the most comprehensive abandoned vessel removal operation in U.S. history.
Spanning five states, two U.S. territories, and one tribal reservation, the project mobilizes public agencies, environmental nonprofits, and tribal communities in a multi-year effort to clean up navigation hazards, environmental threats, and long-standing marine eyesores.
“This is the first coordinated ADV removal effort across the country and across time zones to address the issue head on,” said Alanna Keating, Director of Outreach for the BoatUS Foundation.
The areas targeted include:
- Alaska: Metlakatla Indian Community, Sitka Conservation Society, City & Borough of Yakutat
- Louisiana: Terrebonne Parish
- Washington: Makah Indian Tribe
- Maine: State Parks and local agencies
- Oregon: Department of State Lands
- North Carolina: Coastal Federation
- U.S. Territories: Port Authority of Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources
Work is expected to begin later this year as local reviews conclude and salvage crews begin operations. Both recreational and commercial vessels at risk of sinking or leaking contaminants will be removed.
The initiative also includes the creation of a national ADV tracking database, educational campaigns on boat disposal, and the second annual Turning the Tide summit, slated for December 2026 in New Orleans, which will convene stakeholders to share best practices and policy recommendations.
As coastal communities grapple with rising numbers of derelict vessels—often left behind by storms, bankrupt owners, or aging fleets—this large-scale action signals a major step toward reclaiming cleaner, safer waters.
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