Coastal cleanup project targets abandoned boats in North Carolina waters

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Federal agencies are moving ahead to remove and dispose of 12 abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) in four North Carolina counties, including New Hanover County.

The North Carolina Coastal Federation received funding from the BoatUS Foundation as part of a national effort to remove hundreds of ADVs from coastal waterways.

The federation, partnering with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and local governments, will remove ADVs in commercial fishing communities such as Sneads Ferry, Swan Quarter, Engelhard and Carolina Beach.

The federation said that a panel of independent salvage experts, state boating advocates, nonprofit research organizations, and government planning agency staff chose the project. This selection was part of a four-year program created by the BoatUS Foundation.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program funded the effort to remove ADVs from the nation’s coastal waters and the Great Lakes. Officials said nine other organizations across five states, including the North Carolina Coastal Federation, received support.

“This award provides critical support for removing vessels from working harbors,” Ted Wilgis, the Marine Debris Program director for the North Carolina Coastal Federation, said. “These communities, already facing tight budgets and rising expenses, do not have enough resources or funding to remove and dispose of these vessels. This award will enable the North Carolina Coastal Federation to continue its partnership with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and local governments to remove and dispose of ADVs affecting the livelihood and environment of our coastal communities.”

Since Hurricane Florence in 2018, state agencies and local governments, with support from NOAA, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the North Carolina General Assembly, have removed and disposed of over 450 ADVs.

The BoatUS Foundation’s national ADV program includes creating a national database to pinpoint locations of ADVs and track their removal.

The North Carolina Coastal Federation’s project will target ADVs in Hyde, Carteret, Onslow and New Hanover counties.