The article below in Marine Industry News is very interesting: it is clear that the USA is moving fast on this matter. I believe it is something the EU and UK should be activating too.
The USA Federal Government seems to have taken the lead now with a conference, see below:
US summit on abandoned boats – deadline for speakers nears
From article:
‘The non-profit foundation is targeting final submissions from presenters with practical experience in:
- ADV removals and vessel turn-in programmes
- Sustainable disposal and recycling solutions for ADVs and boating-related debris
- Initiatives or programs focused on preventing ADVs and boating-related debris
In November 2025, the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water launched a national database designed to identify, track, and document abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) across the US, its territories, and freely associated states.
Environmental experts, boating and waste industry leaders, and policymakers are all encouraged to attend the show.’
Comments to the USA Government funding announcement is in post below, plus a link to a post further down the line regarding ‘end of life’ for vessels.
Ditch-crawler applauds action to find homes for old boats… – Nick Ardley
Now, as can be seen if one walks the yards of marinas or boatyard moorings when on your travels, there is work taking place in the UK. Who is funding this, I am not fully aware, however, Beccs Polden, yard manager at Blackwater Marina said that the yard ‘took’ c£25,000 to break up an MFV type (There is another waiting her turn…)
Yard demolitions was highlighted in post below:
Ditch-crawler wanders around yard boat demolitions… – Nick Ardley
Yards cannot, lightly, just cut up an old vessel for an owner may come looking. The law allows a lien to be taken out. Yards will leave an old wreck alone for as long as a rent for space taken up continues to flow…
Info on what one yard at the top of the River Deben will do for an honest broker:
Boat Scrapping & Disposal | End-of-Life Pleasure Craft — DEBEN BOAT YARD
Authorities will remove a vessel if it is deemed to be a danger to normal navigation, presumably suffering the costs involved, unless an owner is known and the insurance covers.
The boat graveyard up Heybridge Creek, Maldon.
We have, surely, reached the point where legislation is needed. Perhaps coving some of the points below:
- A contractual element to swinging moorings and marina/yard berthing. laying out responsibilities of an owner. With redress of costs. Difficulty if a boat is unknowingly sold to another unrecorded owner, however the known owner should bare a responsibility too.
- A means of empowerment to harbour authorities to chase an owner for removal costs redress.
- A greater enthesis placed within insurance policies as to responsibilities. (difficulty here for a non caring owner will not bother insuring)
- Now, and this will cause an ache for freedoms we have long enjoyed. A clause in any law requiring the official registration of a vessel, with a clause when passing ownership to another, as with a motor vehicle.
- Any legislation has to be meaningful with clear measures.
I know that I have spoken about this before but, quite frankly, the situation is getting worse. Anything from a ‘plastic’ canoe to dinghies, delapidated speed boats to cruising craft can be found around our shores. GRP will break down in time and whether you like it or not, if you eat any seafood, you’ll also be ingesting particles of GRP.
Two vessels walked past on recent forays along the edges of the water. Above. seen in Brandy Hole Bay saltings. (we saw several small boats) and below is the Telegraph, mentioned in previous articles.
Before the advent of GRP the problem was around, however, craft would be broken for firewood or berthed in a rill to rot into the environment, doing good on the way. It is now no longer permissible to ‘dump’ even a wooden vessel.
The time has come for action…