Giant jaws from a hydraulic excavator sank into the fiberglass boat at Alljoy Boat Landing. It immediately listed from the violence and weight and the mast dropped into the water. Then Lacy Jefferson, who was at the controls, began dragging the vessel up the ramp, leaving a trail of cushions, propane tanks and musty smelling water.
Derelict or abandoned vessels like this 30-foot sailboat pollute coastal waters of South Carolina. But these days authorities are removing more of the dangerous eyesores, which are obstacles to other boaters and bad for the environment because they leak oil and gas.
The uptick in the cleanup follows stronger state laws and better partnerships by state agencies, local municipalities and non-profits…