The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded a four-year, $10 million grant from its Marine Debris Removal Program to the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, which aims to rid the nation’s shores of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs), and remove the associated pollution, navigation and safety hazards that can harm waters for years.

The grant, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is part of NOAA’s larger mission to address marine debris, which not only includes fiberglass boats but derelict fishing gear, plastics and other types of debris. The grant directs the Annapolis, Maryland-based boating nonprofit to “…improve U.S. coastal and marine waters affected by abandoned and derelict vessels by facilitating removal and prevention activities across the country.”

The majority of the funds will kickstart a one-stop-shop competitive grant program to seek out and complete marine debris removal projects on the nation’s coasts (saltwaters) and in the Great Lakes for funding and support. Under the guidelines, any organization–public or private–will be able to apply for ADV removal funds.

To help educate and prevent future ADVs, the Foundation will also create a national ADV database to track the scope of the challenge and measure success. It will document ADV prevention and removal activities to share with the public and support a national dialogue and education efforts on boating-related debris removal, with an added focus on how ADVs impact waters in underserved communities.

The Foundation, which drew more than 60 letters of support for the grant application, expects to announce the opening of ADV grant program applications in early 2024. Updates will be posted to BoatUS.org/ADVGrant as they occur.