South Carolina River Rangers

The Myrtle Beach Area can essentially be described as an island. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, The Intracoastal Waterway and the Waccamaw River. The water is a source of food, transportation and enjoyment for both residence and visitors to the area.

Abandoned boats that have been run aground or anchored in navigation channels have become an increasing issue in our state. The bad economy is causing boat owners to abandon their ships. The waters in the area have become dumping grounds. If this issue is not addressed we could lose use of the water. The water would be too polluted to swim in. Fish and wildlife could die and boating would not be enjoyable anymore

Often, owners that can no longer pay for the boats will sandpaper over the names and file off the registry numbers, doing their best to render the boats, and make themselves untraceable. Then they casually ditch the vessels in the middle of busy harbors, beach them at low tide on the banks of creeks or occasionally sink them outright. Abandoned boats are environmental and navigational hazards, leaking toxins and posing obstacles for other watercraft, especially at night.

Derelict, neglected or abandoned boats, can cause problems for a number of different reasons. The water is one of the area’s biggest draws. If the waters that surround Myrtle Beach continue to be cluttered with neglected boats it could become a major eye sore and in turn may deter some visitors to come to the area.

Recreational boaters and professional fishermen also suffer the consequences of the abandoned boats littering the water. Boaters often use charts to navigate their vessels through the water. The charts show the depth of the water and if there are any natural obstacles. When individuals intentionally sink their boats and not tell anyone, they have created a potential disaster. If another boat would happen to hit the sunken boat it could cause damage and cost a significant amount of money to repair. If a professional fishing boat is damaged by an abandoned boat it could cost them their business and livelihood.

The abandoned boats can also have a great impact on the environment. Sunken boats can pose environmental and safety risks by leaking oil and fuel in a concentrated area. Leaking fuel is composed of petroleum products. When present at high concentrations, these materials can be harmful to aquatic life. The abandoned boat structures can pose environmental issues since they are constructed with materials that can be toxic if released to the marine environment. For example, old boats can have electrical components that contain PCB’s, which are an example of a persistent bio-accumulative toxin.