Removing abandoned boats from D.C. waterways
A tow boat pulls an abandoned vessel from a marina in the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. (Credit: Anacostia Riverkeeper)
Communities around Washington, D.C. are working to address the issue of abandoned and derelict vessels in the Anacostia River. Funded by the NOAA Marine Debris Program and led by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Anacostia Riverkeeper, a new project aims to remove 28 vessels over four years, and has successfully removed 13 vessels in the first six months of operation.
Floating or partly submerged abandoned boats can block navigational channels and damage ecosystems and habitats that are important for wildlife and recreation. Some vessels may also contain fuel and hazardous materials, which can leak into the surrounding water. The project will help to remove sources of contamination, improve habitat for fish and mussels, and increase the recreational value of the river for boaters and paddlers.
The Anacostia River runs through the eastern side of the city and has a rich cultural history. Boathouse Row in southeast D.C. is home to historic boathouses, including the Seafarers Yacht Club, the nation’s oldest African American yacht association, which was established in 1945. The process to obtain the permitting, equipment, and funding needed to remove abandoned vessels can be a major barrier to small volunteer-run boathouses. Project partners are collaborating with boathouse-users to remove abandoned vessels, and organizing community engagement sessions to prevent abandoned and derelict vessels from becoming new problems in the marinas.
The project also aims to remove additional debris from other areas of the Anacostia River, including 20,000 pounds of large metal scrap, and smaller items, such as picnic tables, shopping carts, bikes, and electric scooters. These items are often located far from shore and away from locations volunteers typically can reach in standard community cleanups. The project team is mapping and categorizing these items with the help of the local recreation community, and removing the debris with a barge to clear the waterway. Most of the metal from the project will be recycled, or upcycled, where possible.
An abandoned vessel is broken up by heavy machinery to salvage and recycle metals. (Credit: Potomac Towing)
Project partners are engaging the local community through volunteer and education initiatives to tackle marine debris. By bringing together local organizations, governments, and communities, this project is spreading awareness throughout the region about marine debris and how to prevent it, to make a lasting impact on the health of the Anacostia River.
To learn more about this project, visit the NOAA Marine Debris Program website.
