New database to track abandoned vessels in US
The data supports clean-up efforts, which may exceed $24,000 per vessel.
Abandoned and derelict vessels remain a persistent feature along shorelines and in harbours worldwide, where they can release fuel, affect marine habitats and create navigation risks in busy waterways.
In 2023, the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water was awarded a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program to support the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) across US waters. The project also included the development of a national database to track ADVs across the US, including territories and freely associated states.
While the BoatUS Foundation’s national database for reporting these vessels launched several months ago, this will be the first full boating season with the technology in place. As activity picks up for the start of the 2026 season, the foundation is urging boaters to use the new database to report abandoned vessels.
The database, built using the MyCoast platform, allows organisations and members of the public to report derelict vessels. The information helps identify problem areas, quantify the scale of the issue and track prevention and removal activity. Compiling these reports at a national level supports coordination between state authorities and local communities and provides a clearer picture of how the issue is being addressed.
“With boating season around the corner, boaters have an opportunity to spot and report abandoned vessels that might otherwise go unnoticed,” says BoatUS Foundation director of outreach, Alanna Keating. “Each report helps communities better address the issue of abandoned and derelict vessels by supporting both removal efforts and prevention.”
The foundation says that tracking ADVs in this way supports several functions. It provides information to the public and may improve awareness of responsible boating practices. It also helps assess environmental and navigation risks, including pollution and safety concerns.
Reporting takes a few minutes. The data supports clean-up efforts, which may exceed $24,000 per vessel. To report an abandoned vessel, click here.
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