New Law Prohibits Abandoning Your Boat on Public Water or Land

Yeah! A new law that makes sense.  The law makes it illegal to abandon your boat in public water or land.

Until recently, the Coast Guard and Department of Natural Resourcs would watch helplessly as ships sunk in the Charleston area.  The anchorage area in the Ashley River under the James Island Connector was a favorite place for people to let their boats sink.  Over the past 5 years, masts from sunken sailboats sticking up out of the river have frequently been spotted.  People used the area because it was out of the “navigable channel,” and therefore beyond the reach of the authorities.  No more.  Your boat is your responsibility.  Clean up your mess, get the boat out of the harbor, the rivers, the waterways so everyone can continue to enjoy the water.

If your boat is going to sink be sure to get the fluids, such as oil and gas off the boat before the boat goes down.  A single goal of oil can spoil a million gallons of water.

Read more about the new law in the Post and Courier.

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2 Responses to New Law Prohibits Abandoning Your Boat on Public Water or Land

  1. Pingback: City of Charleston Prohibits Abandoned Boats « Charleston Waterways

  2. I dont understand why they just walk away from there boats i no times are hard and all but there are people out here that would love to have the boats if given the chance

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