Please select your home edition
Edition
Stoneways Marine 2021 - LEADERBOARD

$10 million NOAA grant to fund BoatUS Foundation abandoned and derelict vessel removal program

by BoatUS 6 Sep 2023 22:04 UTC
Three derelict vessels moor on a sunken wreck near the Intracoastal Waterway in North Lake, Florida, creating potential pollution, navigation and safety hazards © Rick Legow

Boats end up abandoned or derelict on our nation's coasts for several reasons. Irresponsible owners abandon vessels when they can no longer afford to care for them or pay for their disposal.

Poorly maintained, "at risk" anchored boats combined with the increasing frequency and severity of storms leave shorelines littered with wrecks after each hurricane. A four-year, $10 million grant from NOAA's Marine Debris Removal Program to the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water aims to rid our nation's shores of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs), and remove the associated pollution, navigation and safety hazards that can harm waters for years.

The grant, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is part of NOAA's larger mission to address marine debris, which not only includes fiberglass boats but derelict fishing gear, plastics and other types of debris.

The grant directs the Annapolis, Maryland-based boating nonprofit to "...improve U.S. coastal and marine waters affected by abandoned and derelict vessels by facilitating removal and prevention activities across the country."

The majority of funds will kick-start a one-stop-shop competitive grant program to seek out and complete marine debris removal projects on our nation's coasts (saltwaters) and in the Great Lakes for funding and support. Under the guidelines, any organization - public or private - will be able to apply for ADV removal funds.

To help educate and prevent future ADVs, the Foundation will also create a national ADV database to track the scope of the challenge and measure success, document ADV prevention and removal activities to share with the public, and support a national dialogue and education efforts on boating-related debris removal, with an added focus on how ADVs impact waters in underserved communities.

"This is a coordinated, once-in-lifetime investment to remove abandoned and derelict vessels, and we're proud to help NOAA carry out this important mission to rid our shores of marine debris," said BoatUS Foundation president Chris Edmonston. "Our goal over the next four years is to focus on the immediate issue - the substantial number of ADVs that need removal. In the future, we hope to expand the program to inland freshwater lakes and waterways, and reach a point where ADV removals diminish as educational and preventive efforts have greater impact. It's much more cost-effective to stop it before it happens."

BoatUS Foundation director of outreach and grant program manager Alanna Keating said, "We're excited about building upon our years of experience with ADV removals. What makes this program unique is it is open to any organization, nonprofit or for-profit, as well as local, state, and regional government agencies. Clean, coastal waters for everyone. Some of our focus will be seeking underserved or marginalized communities that don't have the local resources to rid their shores of abandoned and derelict vessels."

"This grant, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, underscores NOAA's commitment to combat marine debris and its negative impact on the communities and economies that depend on clean, healthy waterways," said Nicole LeBoeuf, assistant administrator, NOAA's National Ocean Service. "This pivotal partnership will enable us to address the issue of abandoned and derelict vessels, and help safeguard our coasts and Great Lakes from pollution, hazards and navigational challenges."

The Foundation, which drew more than 60 letters of support for the grant application, expects to announce the opening of ADV grant program applications in early 2024. Updates will be posted to BoatUS.org/ADVGrant as they occur.

Related Articles

How to prepare a boat for Helene
Free online guides, videos, worksheet available from BoatUS With potential Tropical Cyclone Nine expected to reach hurricane strength as Helene before hitting parts of Florida's Gulf Coast later this week, recreational boat owners have all the hurricane preparation information they need at BoatUS.com/Hurricanes. Posted on 25 Sep
How to prepare a boat for Francine
Free online guides, videos, worksheet available for hurricanes from BoatUS With Tropical Storm Francine expected to reach hurricane strength before hitting parts of coastal Louisiana and the western Gulf Coast this week, recreational boat owners have all the hurricane preparation information they need at BoatUS.com/Hurricanes. Posted on 10 Sep
BoatUS Foundation opens Grant Program
For $7.5M effort to remove ADVs from nation's waterways From June 10-August 12, organizations are invited to apply for grant funding to clean up their local waterways Posted on 10 Jun
BoatUS urges boat owners to oppose SB192/HB437
Florida Legislature tries to solve the abandoned, derelict vessel issue The state of Florida has long had a challenge in balancing the rights of responsible boat owners against the owners of poorly maintained, derelict vessels that are rarely make-way, often used as domiciles, and are hazards to navigation and environment. Posted on 25 Jan
What 222,000 boaters got wrong
Test your knowledge: Take a BoatUS Foundation online boating course this winter The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers a range of online boating safety training courses — including 36 free state boating safety courses — that make boating safety education affordable and accessible. Posted on 11 Jan
Boaters need to prepare now for Hurricane Hilary
6 time-tested storm-prep tips plus free online planning resources available from BoatUS With Hurricane Hilary aiming for arrival in Southern California early Monday morning, recreational boat owners must prepare now to help prevent damage to their boats, according to Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). Posted on 18 Aug 2023
Dr. Anne Kolker honored with Women's Sailing Award
By the Boat Owners Association of The United States and the National Women's Sailing Association Dr. Anne Kolker grew up sailing, first as a youngster, then through college, medical school and into marriage. However, when her husband died in 2008, she realized that she needed to learn more about sailing and grow her confidence behind the wheel. Posted on 6 Jun 2023
Are you ready for Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don & Emily
2023 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1; get time-tested preparation tips from the experts Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don and Emily are the first five names NOAA will deploy for incoming storms this Atlantic hurricane season that begins June 1 and runs through November 30. Posted on 1 Jun 2023
Making gains on the Intracoastal waterway
Bringing important marine highway back to its operational 12-foot depth Waters have been getting deeper, improving navigation, safety and vessel access along the 1,100-plus-mile Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway since Congress began investing in the waterway as a continuous system across state boundaries. Posted on 28 Mar 2023
Hurricane Ian derelict-vessel salvage help
Waivers available for removal or destruction at no cost; new deadline to apply is end of December Acknowledging the significant challenge facing many recreational boat owners who are unable to pay salvage costs for their Hurricane Ian- wrecked vessels, the FWC extended its Hurricane Ian waiver program through the end of 2022. Posted on 23 Nov 2022
GJW Direct 2024 DinghyPantaenius 2022 - SAIL FOOTER - ROWNorth Sails Performance 2023 - FOOTER