Back to top

Keeping Puget Sound Clean: 29 Abandoned Boats Removed, Deconstructed, and Recycled

The Washington Department of Natural Resources, with 2024 funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program, is removing derelict vessels from the Puget Sound and supporting the prevention of boat abandonment through their voluntary Vessel Turn-In Program. This program provides Washington boat owners with an alternative to abandonment, helping to prevent derelict vessels and associated pollutants from harming state aquatic lands. Focusing on early intervention and empowering boat owners to dispose of unwanted vessels responsibly prevents costly removals later.

An excavator being used to break down a derelict vessel and placing the scraps into a dumpster.
Last updated Tuesday, June 16, 2026 10:35am PDT