BoatUS Foundation’s ADV Database

In 2023, The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water was awarded a $10 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Marine Debris Program for the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs). The project components also include the development of a national database to track ADVs in the United States, U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States. To learn more about the ADV Removal Grant Program please visit our website.

The BoatUS Foundation, in partnership with NOAA’s Marine Debris Program and MYCoast, created this database for the purpose of collecting information, through individual reports, to understand the scope of the problem of ADVs and track prevention and removal efforts by states and partners. By reporting and tracking ADVs on a national scale we can index where they are located so they can be monitored and managed in the environment. This includes:

Informing public awareness: Tracking ADVs can enhance public awareness about the problem and encourage responsible boating practices to prevent the occurrence of ADVs.

Addressing environmental hazards: ADVs can pose navigation, safety, and pollution hazards to communities and the environment. Tracking helps in assessing the impact of ADVs and determining the need for action.

Preventing the spread of ADVs: By identifying and tracking ADVs, authorities can take proactive measures to prevent the introduction of new ADVs intowaterways and marine environments.

Supporting removal efforts: Information on ADVs can assist in planning andexecuting removal efforts, which may involve specialized equipment and resources.

Facilitating collaboration: Tracking ADVs can facilitate collaboration among various agencies and stakeholders to address the problem effectively.