Abandoned and Derelict Vessels Info Hub
Thousands of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) litter ports, waterways, and estuaries all over the country. They threaten our ocean, coasts and waterways by obstructing navigational channels, causing harm to the environment, and diminishing commercial and recreational activities. ADVs originate in a variety of ways, from natural disasters such as hurricanes to boat ownership neglect. These vessels may sink at moorings, becoming semi-submerged in the intertidal zone, or become stranded on shorelines, reefs, or in marshes. ADVs may persist for years, impacting protected harbors and bays and debris from disintegrating vessels can also become widespread. Assessing, removing, and disposing of these vessels requires significant financial and technical resources. Laws pertaining to ADVs vary within each state.
This ADV InfoHub has been created as a central source of information regarding ADVs and the policies surrounding them. It explains how ADVs are handled by each coastal state in an effort to bring together information and to create a comprehensive look at this subject. Be sure to click the map (or use the pull down menu) for a state-by-state snapshot and additional ADV information for each coastal state's ADV legislation, funding, case studies, contact information and other publications.
For a brief overview of Abandoned and Derelict Vessels, check out our ADV Fact Sheet.