Cleanup Efforts for Abandoned Boats in NYC’s Waterways
For many, one of the highlights of life can be the day a man removes a boat. For the city, however, it often signals a bigger problem.
New York City is currently grappling with over 500 rusting and deteriorating boats scattered across its waterways, some being there for nearly a century.
In the last 14 months, city officials have managed to remove only 85 of these abandoned vessels, part of a lengthy and costly initiative that is bogged down by outdated maritime laws.
Brock Weiner, who leads the College Point Civic and Taxpayers Association, expressed the community’s frustration: “People want to clean it up. It’s been like that forever.” He mentioned that in College Point alone, eight derelict boats leak rust, fuel, and other pollutants into local waters, prompting complaints that have persisted for decades.
Once upon a time, Weiner recalled, “We could pull lobsters and clams from these waters. But it’s been contaminated for so long.”
Since the Marine Corps Debris Disposal and Ship Surrender Bureau launched last spring, city workers have focused efforts on cleaning up approximately 520 miles of coastline. To date, 87 derelict vessels have been removed.
These boats are not just an eyesore; they pose risks to those navigating the waterways. “They certainly present a danger to boaters and represent a blight on the neighborhood,” said Cat Servino, president of the Coastal Preservation Network.
The Parks Division created this bureau to tackle the issue of an estimated 600 abandoned boats but faced challenges due to archaic maritime laws instituted centuries ago to protect shipwreck cargo from theft.
The financial burden of removal adds another layer of difficulty, with the cost to take out each boat reaching about $7,000. Once pulled from the water, the boats are sent to a marina for disassembly and crushing.
The scale of the problem is daunting. Areas like Westchester Creek in the South Bronx and Flushing Bay in Queens have been identified as key hotspots, with some estimating as many as 11 abandoned vessels languishing there. Other locations, such as Rockaway’s Burnham Basin and Staten Island, also host neglected boats.
In Flushing Bay, six boats remain, some dumped as recently as last spring. Nearby, Powell Cove Park is home to a dilapidated barge from the 1930s. Many locals feel overlooked by the city, with volunteers previously attempting to raise funds for cleanup but finding costs prohibitive.
“This is far beyond what we can handle as a small nonprofit,” Cervino noted, explaining that the group focused on small clean-up efforts while keeping an eye on the larger issue.
When announcements for the Marine Corps Debris Disposal’s establishment went public, Cervino quickly got in touch with the city’s office, eager that their concerns were finally gaining attention.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents areas within Queens and the Bronx, recently requested $1.2 million in federal funding aimed at cleanup efforts for nearly $1 million worth of debris in her district.
If successful, this funding could increase the budget for removal efforts by 25%. According to her office, “NY-14 has many miles of coastline that are cluttered with these dilapidated vessels, which can poison the waters and create perilous conditions.”
The city’s strategy is also shifting toward preventing future abandonment, with the establishment of a surrender site for boaters to discard unwanted vessels before they become another wreck.
“Removing these boats will enhance the health of our marine ecosystem and keep New Yorkers safe while enjoying the waterfront,” stated a representative. “New York is a city surrounded by water, and it’s crucial to keep our waterways clear of debris like abandoned ships.”
