Near Johns Island, crews dismantle and remove 17 derelict boats from SC waterways

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — A major cleanup effort is underway across South Carolina’s waterways, as state officials and volunteers work to remove abandoned and hazardous boats.

On Monday, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, alongside Wounded Nature–Working Veterans, dismantled and hauled away 17 derelict vessels near Johns Island—part of a larger push to restore safety and environmental health on the water.

The effort follows the passage of Senate Bill 367 last year, which allows organizations to remove abandoned vessels more quickly.

SCDNR officials say the work is already making an impact. In addition to the 17 boats removed Monday, crews have cleared 61 other abandoned vessels.

“We’re making real progress on our goal to have every single abandoned boat out of the waters of South Carolina,” said Shannon Bobertz, Chief of Staff for SCDNR.

Bobertz emphasized the environmental and safety risks posed by derelict boats.

“These have been polluting the waterways of South Carolina,” she said. “When you have these boats that are hidden under the water, they’re navigation hazards. They’re also injuring fish and wildlife.”

The cleanup process, however, is far from simple.

“It’s a long process,” said Chris Owen, a volunteer with Wounded Nature–Working Veterans. “SCDNR has to go and tag them, and then you’ve got to try and find out who owned them.”

Divers face particularly dangerous conditions when searching for submerged debris.

“The waters of South Carolina are very dark, so when we go under the water, it’s pretty much like Braille diving,” said Lt. Willis Bowers with SCDNR’s Investigation Section. “There’s entanglements you could be swimming into while you’re diving. There’s all kinds of sharp, pokey things down there that can cut you.”

With visibility near zero in some areas, crews must rely on touch to locate hidden hazards beneath the surface.

Officials say public help is also critical in identifying problem areas. The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services has launched an online tool, MyCoast.org, where residents can report abandoned boats.

SCDNR warns that removing these vessels is both costly and time-consuming—and boat owners who abandon their vessels could face penalties under state law.