Building Partnerships to Tackle Abandoned and Derelict Vessels Nationwide

BoatUS Foundation is leading a national competitive grant program for the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels, developing a database to track abandoned and derelict vessels across the country, and is supporting outreach and education on the issue.

Type of Project: Removal

Region: National

Project Dates: July 2023 - March 2027

Who is involved?
With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, BoatUS Foundation is supporting the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels through a national grant program. BoatUS Foundation is also partnering with Coastal Cloud to develop a national database to track abandoned and derelict vessels, and working with Maritz Global Events to host a national abandoned and derelict vessel conference.

What is the project and why is it important?
Marine debris can range greatly in size, from tiny plastic pieces invisible to the human eye, to large abandoned and derelict vessels. These vessels litter ports, waterways, and estuaries all over the country, and they can cause major problems. For many communities, there may be no local funding for removal of vessels, and navigating complicated funding programs can be challenging for communities with limited time or resources. 

BoatUS Foundation is leading a nationally competitive grant program for the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels throughout coastal and marine areas of the United States, including the Great Lakes, U.S. territories, and Freely Associated States. This important work allows organizations to access funds for vessel removal and prevention through a simple application process, thereby supporting projects with the greatest and most pertinent needs.

In addition to the grant program, BoatUS Foundation is also developing a first-of-its-kind national online abandoned and derelict vessel database. This will improve the tracking of abandoned and derelict vessel removal, while providing a clearer picture of the extent of the problem across the country. BoatUS Foundation is also hosting a national abandoned and derelict vessel conference, where stakeholders and experts will come together to share knowledge and experiences. To raise awareness of the environmental and safety impacts of these vessels, BoatUS Foundation is producing educational outreach videos, including a documentary. These combined efforts will provide communities with accessible support to remove and track abandoned and derelict vessels, while strengthening prevention efforts nationwide.

For more information about this project, visit the Marine Debris Program Clearinghouse.