August 14, 2025 — More than 300 abandoned and derelict boats across six states and two unincorporated terrorities are earmarked for removal from local waterways under funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program.
The program will be administered through the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, according to a statement from the foundation last month. NOAA awarded $7.4 million to fund 10 projects in July.
“The ADV (abandoned and derelict vessels) grants will fund removal and education efforts in communities heavily impacted by ADVS and the navigation, safety and pollution hazards they pose,” the July 31 statement said.
A panel of independent salvage experts, state boating advocates and nonprofit research groups and planning states selected the projects.
Projects include the Metlakatla Indian Community in Alaska; city and borough of Yakutat, Ala.; Sitka Conservation Society, Ala.; Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, La.; Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation, Washington state; state of Maine; U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources; North Carolina Coastal Federation; Oregon Department of State Lands; and the Port Authority of Guam.