Report on Recycling Abandoned, Derelict and End-of-Life Recreational Vessels Now Available
FEB. 13, 2023 — Last week, NOAA's Marine Debris Program, within the Office of Response and Restoration, released the report, "Recycling Opportunities for Abandoned, Derelict, and End-of-Life Recreational Vessels."
Section 136 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (P.L. 116-224) required NOAA and the Environmental Protection Agency to jointly conduct a study to determine the feasibility of developing a nationwide vessel recycling program, using a pilot project in Rhode Island as a model. Developed by the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association Foundation, in partnership with the NOAA Marine Debris Program and National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the report summarizes that study.
This document highlights challenges presented by abandoned, derelict, and end-of-life fiberglass vessels and outlines the steps necessary to build a nationwide recycling program.