The North Carolina Coastal Federation has created an online resource to support communities that want to better understand and respond to abandoned and derelict vessel issues.
“The Abandoned and Derelict Vessels: Toolkit for Local Governments” was created “to provide a guide for local governments as they work to address the many issues surrounding abandoned vessels, including responsible removal and disposal, as well as preventative approaches that can help reduce the number of ADVs,” the organization said Thursday in a release. The Coastal Federation publishes Coastal Review.
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The toolkit offers a step-by-step guide to help understand the roles and authorities involved with managing abandoned vessels, along with information on how to respond to calls about ADVs, planning for removals, and helpful advice from other local governments that have their own successful program.
“Local governments are on the front lines when it comes to responding to abandoned and derelict vessels,” Coastal Management Program Director Kerri Allen explained. “But knowing where to start can be challenging. We created this toolkit to make that process easier by providing practical resources, lessons learned, and tools that communities can use to develop effective abandoned and derelict vessel programs that fit their unique needs.”
Abandoned and derelict vessels can create navigational hazards, threaten water quality, damage sensitive coastal habitats, impact tourism and waterfront economies, and become costly burdens for state agencies, local governments, and property owners.
“Almost 500 abandoned and derelict vessels have been removed from North Carolina’s coastal waters over the last seven years by local governments, state agencies, and the Coastal Federation,” Marine Debris Program Director Ted Wilgis said in a press release. “Each vessel removal is a complex, lengthy, and expensive process.”
The toolkit also has a checklist of items to have and consider before adopting a local abandoned and derelict vessel ordinance and stresses the need for community education around the topic.
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“While significant progress is being made through the cooperation of stakeholders, the ADV problem persists. Even when there are no major storms, dozens of vessels are abandoned each year due to the costs of storage, maintenance, and insurance. Providing resources and support to local governments will help prevent more ADVs and streamline the removal process,” Wilgis said.
The toolkit was made possible with the 2023 award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program.
