The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) Bureau of Coastal Management (BCM) recently launched new and enhanced tools to address abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) along the coast. These tools improve public reporting, enhance interagency coordination through a shared database, and increase transparency around efforts to address ADVs.
ADVs pose risks to the environment and communities because they can harm coastal waters and marsh habitat, detract from the safe recreational use of waterways, and create an eyesore. According to SCDES Director Myra Reece, the new tools will make it easier for the public to report problem vessels and strengthen coordination among SCDES, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources [SCDNR], and local partners.
SCDES BCM recently enhanced the public boat reporting tool on the MyCoast South Carolina platform. Initially developed in 2015 to allow the public to easily report potential ADVs, the reporting form has been expanded. Users can now share additional information including vessel type and disposition and identify the presence of hazardous materials. In addition, as part of recent updates, public boat reports submitted through MyCoast now route directly to appropriate SCDNR Law Enforcement Division personnel, and SCDES compliance project managers for review.
SCDES has also developed a new, dedicated coastal ADV Database within MyCoast South Carolina to support collaboration among state, county, and municipal partners working in eight coastal counties. This database allows agencies to efficiently share information, track investigations, and coordinate next steps related to ADV cases.
In addition, SCDES BCM released an interactive SC ADV Dashboard allowing members of the public to view real-time information on vessels along the coast that are under investigation by state and local law enforcement, that are pending removal, or that have been removed and destroyed since 2019.
To discourage boat owners from abandoning vessels, SCDES BCM in 2024 successfully piloted a Vessel Turn-In Program in coastal South Carolina as part of multi-year ADV prevention strategy. Designed to offer boat owners with a safe and responsible option for surrender and disposal of end-of-life vessels, the effort yielded the turn-in of 13 boats and 3 outboard motors, 5,854 lbs. of metal recycled, 123 gallons of fuel safely disposed, and 35,440 lbs of material safely disposed.
Learn more about the ADV program here.
