Abandoned and Derelict Vessels in North Carolina: A Growing Problem for Coastal Waters

Removing the top of a SeaRay 340.

One of the big struggles many marinas have is abandoned vessels and Marine Craft is no exception.  Since we have owned Marine Craft we have had to take possession of six abandoned vessels.  We were able to rehabilitate 2 for resale. Unfortunately 4 of the vessels were beyond the ability to repair.  Those four vessels were safely removed from the water so their further deterioration would not pose a threat to the North Carolina waterways.  As you can imagine, this is quite the undertaking for most marinas.  In order to safely get the boat out of the water and keep from spilling fuel or other contaminates into the waterways a lot of work has to be put into getting abandoned vessels out of the water.

Abandoned and derelict vessels have become a significant and growing issue along North Carolina’s coast. From the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound to the Intracoastal Waterway, these neglected boats create safety hazards, environmental damage, and financial burdens for taxpayers and waterfront communities.

According to the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (part of DEQ), abandoned vessels pose serious risks including navigation hazards, leaking fuel and oil that contaminate waterways, and the release of other pollutants such as batteries and sewage. Once a vessel is left to deteriorate, it often becomes the responsibility of the state or local governments to remove — at significant taxpayer expense.  Marine Craft is helping all of the North Carolina Tax Payers by taking care of abandoned vessels when we can.

The True Cost of Abandoned Vessels: 
Removing an abandoned boat is rarely cheap. Costs vary widely depending on the size, location, and condition of the vessel:

• Small boats and skiffs can cost between $2,000 and $8,000 to remove.
• Larger vessels, especially those sunk or hard aground, can easily exceed $15,000 to $50,000+ in removal and disposal costs.
• In many cases, the state must also pay for environmental assessments and cleanup of leaked fuel or hazardous materials.

Because many abandoned vessels often have no traceable owners, these expenses fall on state agencies and local governments. This diverts funding away from other important coastal projects and places an unfair burden on North Carolina taxpayers.

What Can Be Done? While the state has programs to address abandoned vessels, removal is slow and expensive. Prevention is far more effective than cleanup. Boat owners should:

• Plan for the eventual disposal of their vessel.
• Maintain proper registration and insurance.
• Consider the long-term costs of ownership, including responsible end-of-life disposal.

For those dealing with an unwanted vessel, working with a professional marine contractor who understands environmental regulations and proper removal procedures is essential.

At Marine Craft NC, we specialize in marine construction, vessel handling, and environmentally responsible work in coastal waters. While we don’t typically perform large-scale abandoned vessel removal, we regularly assist with related marine construction projects, including seawall work, dock repairs, and site preparation in sensitive coastal environments.

Marine Craft is part of the North Carolina Clean Marina program.  While being a designated Clean Marina doesn't mean we are required to carry the costs of abandoned vessel removal we take stewardship of the environment seriously.  We recently removed a 34' power boat from one of our slips that had been abandoned for 6 months.  Unfortunately this owner was unable to properly care for or recycle his own vessel so it fell to us to take care of.  We contacted the last owner and he gave us title and permission to remove his vessel from the water for recycling.   We spent the next few days slowly dismantling the vessel to remove all of the fuel, water, batteries, engines, or other components that could potentially contaminate the waterways.  Once those parts were removed we then hauled the vessel from the water and began to break it down for recycling where possible or disposal if necessary.  All told, this process costs our business about $12,000.00 to remove this one abandoned vessel from the waterways.  You can quickly see how this adds up over the many vessels we have taken care of.  Marine Craft is more fortunate than some marinas in that we are building a full service boat yard.  We have the machinery, infrastructure, skilled technicians, will, and care for the waterways to handle recycling the vessels safely.

If you’re dealing with an aging vessel or need guidance on responsible marine construction and maintenance, our team is happy to help. We bring ABYC-certified expertise and years of local experience working on the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound.
For official information on North Carolina’s abandoned vessel program, visit the NC Division of Coastal Management’s page on Abandoned and Derelict Vessels.

If you have questions about marine construction, dock work, or vessel-related projects in Eastern North Carolina, feel free to contact us at 252-571-9980.

The next time you are at a marina and see an abandoned vessel consider the arduous process to remove or repair the vessel.  Always work to keep your own vessel in proper working order so it never needs to be abandoned and plan for those costs in your next boat purchase.  One of the great things about the Antares Factory Certified Program is we have strict standards to keep all of our pre-owned Antares in ship shape.  If we all work together responsibly we can keep the waterways clean, our boats enjoyable, and have fun on the water for years to come.

Check out a short video of the team at Marine Craft taking care of one of the vessels here.
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We’ll see you out on the water.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to remove an abandoned boat in North Carolina?

Removal costs typically range from $2,000 to $8,000 for small boats, but can exceed $15,000–$50,000 for larger or sunken vessels. These costs often fall on taxpayers when no owner can be found.

Who is responsible for removing abandoned vessels in NC?

In many cases, the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management steps in when vessels are truly abandoned. However, if an owner can be identified, they may be held financially responsible for removal and cleanup.

Why are so many boats abandoned in North Carolina?

Common reasons include high maintenance costs, storm damage, financial hardship, or owners passing away without a plan for the vessel. Once a boat becomes a liability, some owners simply walk away.

Do abandoned vessels cause environmental damage?

Yes. Leaking fuel, oil, batteries, and sewage from deteriorating vessels can pollute waterways and harm marine life. This is one of the main reasons the state prioritizes their removal.

What should I do if I no longer want my boat?

Contact a professional marine contractor or your local marina. Proper disposal or recycling is much less expensive than letting a vessel become abandoned and creating future environmental and legal problems.