The N.C. Coastal Federation has received a grant from a national boating organization to remove a dozen abandoned boats from waterways in five coastal counties.
The money will help continue a years-long effort by the nonprofit, the state Wildlife Resources Commission and local governments to clear derelict vessels that are both sources of pollution and hazards to navigation.
These 12 boats are in Carteret, Chowan, Hyde, New Hanover and Onslow counties, including commercial fishing harbors such as Engelhard, Morehead City, Sneads Ferry and Swan Quarter. The vessels range from recreational sailboats, cabin cruisers and a houseboat to fishing trawlers up to 75 feet long, according to Ted Wilgis, who heads the Coastal Federation’s marine debris program.
The $550,000 grant comes from the BoatUS Foundation, using money from the federal government. The foundation’s full name is BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, and it received $10 million to provide grants to clean up “abandoned and derelict vessels” nationwide…