They are of course an eyesore, but abandoned and derelict vessels (officially known as ADVs) do more than just look bad. They can leak chemicals like fuel and oil into waterways. They can drift away and damage sensitive habitat or block a channel. Fiberglass does not rot away, and can linger in a waterway for an eternity.
And they are not easy to remove. However, local environmental groups are taking on this challenge,
and they are on course to remove 100 ADVs from Hampton Road’s waterways during the next year…