Ship Graveyards in Virginia
Sunken boats have accumulated in Virginia waters for centuries. Spanish ships started sinking off the coast of North America in the 1500's. Since then, certain areas have become natural boat graveyards, while other areas have been chosen on purpose as a place for abandonment.
The British navy scuttled the remainder of its fleet at Yorktown, the boats not already sunk by French and American artillery fire, before surrendering in 1781. Nearly 40 ships ended up on the bottom on the York River, including the HMS Charon
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most marine debris consists of small plastic items that do not biodegrade quicky, but abandoned and derelict vessels attract attention
Source: Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, 2021-2025 Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan (p.6)
Links
- Clean Virginia Waterways of Longwood University
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Vessel Disposal and Reuse Foundation
- Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
- Virginia Marine Resources Commission
all states with navigable waterways have to deal with abandoned boats that leak oil and gasoline, clog channels, and shed plastics into the water
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Abandoned and Derelict Vessels in Michigan
References
1. "Abandoned boats are a growing problem in Virginia waters," Bay Journal, June 15, 2022, https://www.bayjournal.com/news/pollution/abandoned-boats-are-a-growing-problem-in-virginia-waters/article_363c5c68-e8e2-11ec-8340-93aa5ee0293b.html (last checked March 4, 2023)
2. "Abandoned boats are a growing problem in Virginia waters," Bay Journal, June 15, 2022, https://www.bayjournal.com/news/pollution/abandoned-boats-are-a-growing-problem-in-virginia-waters/article_363c5c68-e8e2-11ec-8340-93aa5ee0293b.html (last checked March 4, 2023)
3. "Section 29.1-733.2. Definitions," Title 29.1. Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating - Chapter 7. Boating Laws - Article 2.1. Virginia Uniform Certificate of Title for Watercraft Act, Code of Virginia, https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title29.1/chapter7/section29.1-733.2/ (last checked September 12, 2022)
4. "Section 28.2-1210. Removal of obstructions or hazardous property from state waters; penalty," Title 28.2. Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters - Subtitle III. Habitat - Chapter 12. Submerged Lands - Article 2. Enforcement and Penalties, Code of Virginia, https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title28.2/chapter12/section28.2-1210/; "Abandoned and Derelict Vessels in Virginia," National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/abandoned-and-derelict-vessels-info-hub/virginia (last checked March 4, 2023)
5. "2021-2025 Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan," Virgnia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), 2021, p.35, (last checked November 14, 2023)
6. "Virginia is starting to take on hundreds of boats abandoned in local waterways," WHRO, November 13, 2023, https://whro.org/news/42705-virginia-is-starting-to-take-on-hundreds-of-boats-abandoned-in-local-waterways (last checked November 14, 2023)
7. "More than 300,000 pounds of hazardous debris have been removed from Hampton Roads waterways thanks to this nonprofit," The Virginian-Pilot,
December 4, 2023, https://www.pilotonline.com/2023/12/04/more-than-300000-pounds-of-hazardous-debris-have-been-removed-from-hampton-roads-waterways-thanks-to-this-nonprofit/ (last checked December 5, 2023)
Waste Management in Virginia
Virginia Places