“Derelict” frequently refers to vessels that are dilapidated with an identifiable owner, while “abandoned” vessels are those where the owner is unknown or has surrendered rights of ownership. - noaa.gov
Originally published in Community Voices, Salish Current. April 4, 2024.
La Conner, WASH. – Abandoned and derelict vessels in Skagit County can pose an immediate threat to public health and the environment. Thanks to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Vessel Turn in Program (VTIP), local boat owners turned in 49 vessels to be safely recycled. Launched in La Conner on July 22, 2024, and completed in early November 2024, the Skagit County vessel turn-in event provided vessel owners the opportunity to responsibly dispose of their unwanted boats for free.
La Conner, WASH – The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Department of Natural Resources, and Northwest Straits Commission have teamed up in an innovative partnership to remove derelict vessels from Swinomish land.
Since 2009, a roughly 65-foot derelict sailboat, known as “Windjammer”, has been abandoned and partially submerged along the intertidal waters of Similk Bay, Skagit County, north of the Kukutali Preserve on Swinomish Tribal tidelands. The vessel removal took place on July 20th, and all parties involved were excited to see it go.
Bellingham, WASH. – Abandoned and derelict vessels in Whatcom County can pose an immediate threat to public health and the environment. But thanks to a voluntary program, 29 unwanted vessels have been removed from local waters and safely recycled.