BoatUS Foundation Partners with Local Groups to Remove 10 ADVs From Virginia Waters

The BoatUS Foundation, a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating, helped Lynnhaven River ​and TowBoatUS ​at ​ports Gwynns Island and Portsmouth​,​ remove 10 abandoned derelict vessels (ADVs) from waterways across Gloucester and Portsmouth, Virginia. This initiative is aimed at addressing navigational hazards and environmental impacts of ADVs on coastal Virginia waterways. The removals took place April 14 to 16 and are part of a broader effort to remove up to 100 ADVs in the area.

Lynnhaven River ​​NOW​​’s project brought together nonprofit, government and private partners to address the growing environmental and navigational risks posed by abandoned boats. This project is supported by a 2023 award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program​.​​     ​

Removing abandoned vessels provides immediate benefits to local waterways and communities. Left unattended, these vessels can leak fuel, create navigation hazards and harm marine ecosystems and shorelines. Their removal enhances boater safety, safeguards natural habitats and helps prevent lasting environmental damage.

TowBoatUS operators Chris Parker of Gwynns Island and Donald Duck of Portsmouth were contracted to do the removals, volunteering significant time and resources while working through a wide range of vessel conditions.

BoatUS Foundation also has a broader ADV Program, which includes the Turning the Tide Summit and a national database to track abandoned vessels nationwide.

Local leaders in attendance during the local cleanups included Gloucester County Administrator Greg Gentry, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Coastal Zone Manager Jeff Flood, and Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover.

Anyone who encounters an abandoned or derelict vessel on a waterway is encouraged to report it at https://boatus.org/adv-database.