The Ecological and Navigational Importance of Removing Derelict and Abandoned Vessels in South Carolina

Derelict and abandoned vessels pose significant ecological, economic, and navigational risks to coastal and inland waterways. In South Carolina, these vessels increasingly threaten marsh ecosystems, water quality, shellfish resources, and boating safety. The importance of removing abandoned and derelict boats demonstrates the ecological risks of fiberglass vessel degradation. Timely vessel removal is essential to environmental protection and maritime safety. The role of legislative funding, enforcement authority, and collaborative partnerships—particularly with nonprofit organizations such as Wounded Nature—in addressing this persistent and preventable source of marine pollution.

South Carolina’s waterways are among the state’s most valuable natural assets, supporting commercial fisheries, recreation, tourism, and critical coastal ecosystems. However, the growing number of abandoned and derelict vessels threatens these resources. Left unattended, such vessels deteriorate into sources of pollution, physical obstructions, and long-term marine debris. Recognizing these dangers, South Carolina lawmakers have strengthened statutory authority to address vessel abandonment, emphasizing both environmental protection and public safety.

Senator Chip Campsen, the lead author and legislative champion of the new law, observed, “anyone who frequents South Carolina’s waterways knows that abandoned boats are a persistent problem.” Abandoned vessels often contain residual fuel, oil, batteries, and other hazardous materials. As hulls corrode or are damaged by storms, these substances may leak into surrounding waters and sediments. In tidal creeks and marsh systems, even small releases can have outsized impacts due to limited water circulation and sensitive habitats.

A prominent example occurred in Bohicket Creek, where the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the United States Coast Guard led a collaborative effort to remove approximately 3,500 gallons of hazardous oil and oily water from a 120-foot abandoned vessel deemed an environmental threat. Such cases illustrate how abandoned vessels function as chronic pollution sources until they are fully removed and disposed of.

In many cases, the successful assessment and removal of derelict and sunken vessels depend on the specialized capabilities of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources dive team. SCDNR’s divers conduct underwater inspections and hazard assessments in challenging conditions—including limited visibility, strong currents, and contaminated waters—providing critical information on vessel stability, environmental risk, and safe removal strategies. Their expertise helps protect sensitive habitats, maintain navigational safety, and ensure that legislative authority and funding are translated into effective, on-the-ground environmental protection.

Beyond chemical pollution, derelict vessels physically damage habitats. Boats grounded in marshes can crush vegetation, destabilize sediments, and accelerate shoreline erosion. Marsh grasses play a crucial role in coastal resilience, serving as nurseries for fish and invertebrates and acting as natural filters for pollutants.

Environmental officials have warned that abandoned vessels can “smother marsh vegetation, harm wildlife, and degrade water quality” (Live 5 News, 2025b). In South Carolina’s Lowcountry, where marsh ecosystems dominate the coastal landscape, these impacts are particularly severe.

Most modern recreational boats are constructed from glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), commonly known as fiberglass. When abandoned vessels deteriorate, they shed fiberglass fragments that persist in the environment.

A 2024 peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials documented the ingestion of fiberglass particles by wild populations of oysters (Ostrea edulis) and mussels (Mytilus edulis) collected near an active boatyard (Ciocan et al., 2024). Using micro-Raman spectroscopy, researchers confirmed concentrations as high as 11,220 particles per kilogram (wet weight) in oysters. The authors concluded that filter-feeding bivalves are particularly vulnerable and that fiberglass ingestion may contribute to physiological stress and mortality (Ciocan et al., 2024).

This research has direct implications for South Carolina, where shellfish harvesting is both an ecological and economic priority. Abandoned fiberglass vessels represent a plausible and preventable source of persistent marine debris.

Derelict and abandoned boats also pose serious risks to navigation. Partially submerged or unlit vessels obstruct channels, damage propellers, and endanger recreational and commercial boaters. These hazards are exacerbated during low visibility conditions and after storms, when vessels may shift location.

In Bohicket Creek, the long-abandoned vessel HAZAR remained lodged for more than four years, generating repeated complaints from residents and boaters (Live 5 News, 2025b). Officials cited poor visibility, structural instability, and navigational obstruction as reasons for its removal, underscoring the link between environmental stewardship and public safety.

SC Code § 50-21-190(2024) establishes abandoned, derelict, and sunken vessels as public nuisances that must be abated. The statute provides clear definitions and timelines, allowing authorities to act after 10 days for abandoned vessels and 21 days for derelict vessels once notice is posted.

The statute makes it unlawful to cause or allow a vessel to become abandoned or derelict and authorizes fines of up to $10,000, imprisonment, or both. Importantly, responsible parties are liable for removal and disposal costs, reinforcing the principle that abandonment is not a cost-free option.

A critical component of the new law is its requirement that fines collected be used for the removal and disposal of abandoned and derelict vessels. This provision links enforcement directly to remediation, ensuring that penalties support environmental restoration rather than general revenues.

Sustainable funding is essential, as removal—particularly of large or sunken vessels—can be costly. Legislative appropriations and dedicated revenue streams enable agencies such as the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to respond promptly, reducing long-term ecological damage and navigational risk.

Effective vessel removal programs rely on collaboration between state agencies, contractors, and nonprofit organizations. Groups such as Wounded Nature Working Veterans play a vital role by providing expertise, labor, and mission-driven commitment to removing marine debris and abandoned vessels (ABC News 4, 2025).

The author thanks Wounded Nature and local partners for their collaboration and leadership in protecting South Carolina’s waterways. Their efforts demonstrate how partnerships between government and nonprofit organizations can translate statutory authority into tangible environmental outcomes.

Derelict and abandoned vessels represent a convergence of ecological harm and maritime hazard. Scientific evidence demonstrates that degrading fiberglass boats can introduce persistent debris into marine food webs, while real-world case studies show how abandoned vessels damage habitats and obstruct navigation. South Carolina’s new law provides a strong legal foundation for addressing this issue through enforcement, cost recovery, and dedicated funding.

Continued legislative support, combined with scientific insight and community collaboration, is essential to ensuring that South Carolina’s waterways remain safe, productive, and ecologically resilient. Removing abandoned and derelict vessels is not merely a cleanup activity. This initiative is a vital and necessary investment in the long-term health of the Palmetto State’s natural and maritime resources.