Crews remove 17 abandoned boats as SC pushes toward first full cleanup

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) — Over a dozen abandoned boats were pulled from Charleston County waterways this week, marking another step toward South Carolina’s goal of becoming the first state in the nation to clear its waterways of derelict vessels completely.

State leaders say the effort is ongoing for every boat removed, another seems to appear, and now the consequences for abandoning a vessel have grown more serious.

“We understand who has titled the boat because we have the title records,” Shannon Bobertz, chief of staff of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, said. “We post that boat. We let the boat owner know that it is abandoned. They need to get it out. If they don’t get it out, we do and we can bring criminal charges against them and also seek restitution for the cost of removing that boat. How much does it cost?”

State leaders say each of these boats can cost around $40,000 to remove, but costs are now easier to manage thanks to a pair of bills passed in 2025, one speeding up the removal process and another creating a dedicated fund to pay for it.

“This is a mission that’s not the first, but by the end of the year, we hope it’ll be the last,” Chris Owen, Wounded Nature volunteer, said, who partners with the Department of Natural Resources to remove abandoned boats.

Divers play a crucial role in the operation, navigating murky waters, high currents, and hidden hazards below the surface.

“You’re dealing with high current, limited or no visibility at all,” Willis Bowers of the department’s investigations section said. “There are entanglements you could be swimming into while you’re diving. There’s all kinds of sharp pokey things down there that can cut you.”

State officials say the program isn’t just about removing boats. It’s about holding owners accountable and protecting the state’s waterways, both environmentally and financially.

“If you’re adding to the problem, you could end up in criminal court,” Bobertz said.

With continued efforts and support from these new laws, South Carolina is steadily moving closer to its goal of becoming the first state to completely clear abandoned boats from its waters.