We hope you can join this webinar — part of the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s online webinar series, Salvaging Solutions to Abandoned and Derelict Vessels!

Each month’s webinar features experts on a topic related to abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs). The goal of the series is to share perspectives from across the country on common issues arising from abandoned and derelict vessels, in hopes to help communities better deal with them.

This month's webinar, "During Fair Winds and Following Seas," will review how some states and communities are addressing chronic ADV issues through innovative policies and programs. It will be presented by the following specialists:

• Phil Horning, Derelict Vessel Program Administrator - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Troy Wood, Derelict Vessel Removal Program Manager - Washington State Department of Natural Resources
• Curtis Havel, Harbormaster - Richardson Bay Regional Agency in California

Phil Horning is the Derelict Vessel Program Administrator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Division of Law Enforcement. As part of his role, Phil provides training to officers on ADV investigations, works with communities on funding and legislation for addressing ADVs, and manages the Florida Derelict Vessel database to track vessels statewide. He will share the state's efforts to prevent ADVs through the Florida At-Risk Vessel Program.

Troy Wood, Program Manager for the Derelict Vessel Removal Program (DVRP) of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), has managed the DVRP since June 2016 and previously worked for DNR as a Natural Resource Specialist in the DVRP. Prior to working for DNR, Troy served in the U.S. Air Force as a Structural Maintenance Section Chief. Troy's presentation will provide an overview of the DVRP, successes and challenges, and lessons learned.

Curtis Havel serves as the Harbormaster for the Richardson's Bay Regional Agency (RBRA) and spearheads efforts to address marine debris vessels in Richardson Bay, CA, where the number of anchor-outs rose from about 90 vessels in the 1970's to over 240 vessels in 2016. The efforts to manage the anchorage have incorporated a steady, incremental approach to changing the deeply ingrained cultural norms in Sausalito/Richardson Bay anchorage while reducing the number of vessels. Curtis will provide an overview of the chronic ADV issues in Richardson Bay and RBRA's approach to addressing the issue.

Please join us, and mark your calendar for the fourth Wednesday of the month at 3 pm ET/2pm CT/12 pm PT/10 am HT — and feel free to share the series with anyone with an interest in abandoned and derelict vessels!