Abandoned and Derelict Vessels
The Division of Coastal Management seeks to reduce the impact of abandoned, derelict, and displaced vessels on sensitive coastal habitats through coordination with partners on prevention and removal and increasing public awareness of proper removal methods.
Abandoned and derelict vessels (ADV’s) are found throughout North Carolina’s coastal counties as a result of storms, abandonment, and disregard for vessel maintenance needs. ADVs degrade the coastal landscape, cause navigational hazards, and can potentially harm coastal habitats and environmentally sensitive areas. In 2018, Hurricane Florence displaced hundreds of vessels from Brunswick County north through Carteret County. This natural disaster emphasized the need for an organized State effort to address ADVs. In response, the N.C. General Assembly directed the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to work with partners to study the issue and implement a program that helps to track, prevent, and respond to ADVs. In 2018, the Commission officially launched its Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Program while simultaneously working with the Department of Environmental Quality and North Carolina Coastal Federation to conduct the largest coordinated removal of ADVs in the state’s history. Additionally, the following organizations are supporting these efforts through storm response planning related to ADVs and displaced vessels: Department of Environmental Quality, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, U.S. Coast Guard, and N.C. Division of Emergency Management.
Vessel removal from sensitive waters and shorelines
If your vessel was displaced to an environmentally sensitive area such as a marsh, it is recommended you notify Division of Coastal Management staff of plans for vessel removal by contacting Paula Gillikin,
Some vessel removal activities could trigger the need for a CAMA permit from the N.C. Division of Coastal Management (DCM) before starting work. To help protect North Carolina’s coastal resources and avoid potential environmental violations, vessel owners and removal contractors should implement the guidelines and best management practices outlined in the frequently asked questions.
Guidelines and best practices for removing vessels
ADV policy
Currently, there is a temporary state law related to the removal of ADVs and several local laws that allow town, cities, or counties to address ADVs. Coastal counties may prohibit the abandonment of vessels in navigable waters within their jurisdiction according to G.S. 153A-153(i). Local communities can gain authority to manage their navigable waterways and remove ADVs directly from the general assembly. For example, the Town of Beaufort, NC obtained its authority from the General Assembly to pass an ordinance related to abandoned vessels via S.L. 1981, Chapter 710, S.B. 660 and the Town of Manteo, NC obtained its authority from the General Assembly to pass an ordinance related to abandoned vessels via S.L. 2019-108, S.B. 215.
- Beaufort supporting files (ZIP folder)
- Manteo supporting files (ZIP folder)
Current list of ADV ordinances in North Carolina
Salvaging Solutions to Abandoned and Derelict Vessels is a nine-episode webinar series featuring experts on topics related to abandoned and derelict vessels. The goal of the series is to help communities through sharing perspectives from across the country on common abandoned and derelict vessel issues and solutions. Each webinar features experts from federal, state, and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, universities, and industry, who discuss topics about communications, funding, policy, and successes and challenges under blue skies and storm conditions. You can watch past webinars from the series, including Salvaging Solutions: Knowing the Ropes featuring DCM staff member Paula Gillikin, who talked about her experiences with ADVs in North Carolina.
Frequently asked questions
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission leads the state’s Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Program with support from the Department of Environmental Quality to protect water quality and habitat. The U.S. Coast Guard leads pollution response in North Carolina.
Please direct all abandoned and derelict vessel reports to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission ADV program, to adv@ncwildlife.org. If you witness that the vessel is damaging sensitive habitats such as marsh, please also report to paula.gillikin@ncdenr.gov.
Immediately report vessels that appear to be leaking pollution (fuel, oil, etc.) to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
In most cases, a permit from the N.C. Division of Coastal Management is not required to remove a vessel from a sensitive habitat. However, some removals could require a CAMA permit. Please review this vessel removal guidance document for more information.
Vessels that wash ashore on private property may pose complicated removal challenges associated with property rights and who bears the cost of removal. First, contact your local county or municipal planning office to understand what local laws may apply. If the vessel is in a marsh or other sensitive habitat on your property, you may find this vessel removal guidance helpful.
Yes. If the vessel is located above, or landward of the normal high water line, or the normal water level as the case may be, the property owner contiguous to the location of the vessel should be contacted for permission to work on their private property.
Vessel removal and marine debris removal activities should be conducted at sufficient tide and water depths to minimize risks to sensitive habitats, including marshes, seagrasses, and oyster beds. Floating the vessel, protecting the marsh surface with mats or roller bags, and pulling the vessel off the wetland during the highest of high tides are encouraged and typically do not require a permit from DCM.
Incidental dredging, installing temporary structures or pilings, excavation and/or filling associated with vessel removal may require a permit from DCM and possibly other state and federal authorities prior to vessel removal. Contact DCM staff prior to commencing work to see if the activity requires a CAMA permit and avoid possible violations.
Restoration of any disturbed coastal wetlands to previous contours and elevations, including smoothing out ruts, berms and compacted areas, are necessary if incidental scarring/excavation occurs while the vessel is removed. Marsh ecosystems are very sensitive to elevation and grade changes and even minor alterations could adversely impact marsh function and habitat values.
Perform site visits and work from waterways, paved surfaces, or existing roadways whenever possible to minimize impacts to sensitive marsh habitats. Select machinery, equipment, and removal methods that are least likely to disturb soils/sediments/substrates and keep loading of equipment and machinery to a minimum to reduce ground pressure and footprint. Use wide-tired vehicles when working in marshes; otherwise use logging or timber mats. This will help prevent grade and elevation changes in the marsh substrate that may alter the marsh functionality and fragile ecosystem.
If a vessel will be towed or dragged from its grounding, the extraction path should be as short as possible while ensuring that no additional groundings or damage to sensitive habitats, such as nesting areas or submerged aquatic vegetation, will take during recovery.
Removal operations should take place during daylight hours for safety. Identify any potential threats or risks to endangered species and minimize adverse impacts to coastal resources. However, some removals may need to take place at night to take advantage of higher than normal high tides. Extra care should be taken for safety and protected species impacts.
All equipment and materials should be removed at the conclusion of operations as soon as possible to minimize impacts to coastal resources and potential risks from mechanical pollutants such as leaking oil, hydraulic fluids, gasoline leaks, or spills.
Removal operations should avoid marked sea turtle or bird nests and stay low on the beach to minimize contact with unmarked nests. In the event that nesting turtles, birds, or hatchlings are sighted, removal operations in the area should stop and you should notify U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) staff or N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission (NCWRC) staff. This will help protect endangered species and could also prevent liabilities under the federal Endangered Species Act. If it is necessary to work in the vicinity of or in the direct path of a nest of an endangered species, you should contact the USFWS by calling