With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, Virginia-based nonprofit Lynnhaven River NOW began their Broken Down Boats Removal Program this May. Their goal is to remove up to 100 abandoned and derelict vessels across more than 10,000 miles of Virginia’s coastal zone. From a long list of boats identified and managed by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Lynnhaven River NOW first targeted two vessels that blocked important operations near the shores of Naval Station Norfolk in Willoughby Bay. The team removed a sunken sailboat with its mast sticking out of the water as well as a sunken vessel that was jammed into a tidal culvert. These vessels created safety risks and presented navigational hazards for boaters and Navy helicopters. Additional removals in Willoughby Bay will continue throughout the summer before the team moves on to other coastal communities in Virginia.

Calling all emergency responders! Applications are now open for the Science of Oil Spills (SOS) class happening September 15–19 in Anchorage, Alaska. This free multi-day training equips new and mid-level spill responders with the science-based tools to better understand and respond to oil spills. This course, which includes a field-trip and hands-on training, is a must for building response skills and making informed, risk-based decisions. Dive into topics like how oil behaves in the environment, oil chemistry and toxicity, shoreline and open-water cleanup strategies, ecological risk assessment, real-world spill case studies, damage assessment techniques, and cleanup endpoints. Seats are limited—the application period for this class will be open until July 23.