Prevention of Vessel Debris Through Inspections
Pacific Region; 2006
Abandoned and derelict vessels are a problem in the waters around the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Because of the regular typhoons that pass through the islands, such derelict vessels frequently break loose and ground on adjacent coral reefs and seagrass beds. Several approaches to address this source of marine debris include removal of the debris field after the inevitable destruction, which can be very expensive, removal of derelict vessels before they sink or are broken apart, or a more proactive approach to prevent unseaworthy vessels from staying in the water.
This project, led by the NOAA Office of Response and Restoration in partnership with the CNMI Coastal Resources Management Office and Department of Public Safety (DPS), provided training in vessel inspection for CNMI boating safety officers to help identify potential problem vessels before they sink or break apart and become a source of marine debris. The United States Coast Guard and other local agencies also sent representatives. By keeping unsafe vessels out of CNMI waters, the local agencies hope to reduce coral injury and avoid the much greater expense of later vessel and debris removal. The project also plans to partner with local agencies to remove the debris field of an existing wreck from the shore and reef flat on Rota.
A five-day Vessel Inspection Training, led by a professional marine surveyor, was offered to DPS officers and other environmental enforcement staff in July 2006. Half of the training was held in the classroom learning U.S. Coast Guard Inspection Standards, with the remainder of time spent on hands-on inspections of boats, including common construction materials, identification and types of rot, sources of corrosion, corroded fastenings, structural defects, poor ventilation, electrical connections, and leaking fuel tanks.
Additional information about derelict vessels can be found at http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/dac/vessels/
This program is funded through NOAA's Ocean Service, Office of Response & Restoration, Marine Debris Program.
Links
- Abandoned & Derelict Vessels
- Alabama and Mississippi Marine Debris Removal and Prevention: Boater Education and Volunteer-based Clean-up Program
- Planning for Removal of Derelict Vessels and Vessel Debris in American Samoa
- NOAA Abandoned Vessel Program
- South Carolina Abandoned Vessel Project
