Abandoned vessels can have devastating impacts on their environment as they can leak oil and waste and add chemicals to waterways. Virginia Sea Grant extension agents helped develop a database of known abandoned and derelict vessels in Virginia’s waterways through a collaborative working group with the Coastal Zone Management Program. Community members can add their own abandoned and derelict vessels sightings to the database. The database can be used to inform programs and policy that further address the issue of abandoned and derelict vessels in Virginia.
Photo Credit: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Alt Text: Photo of abandoned, decrepit boat in a Virginia waterway.