Eleven derelict vessels were removed from Georgetown Harbor this week through a major collaborative effort between Georgetown County, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), and the nonprofit Wounded Nature–Working Veterans.

The operation was critical to improving safety and environmental conditions in the harbor and comes ahead of a dredging project planned for next year by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Several of the removed boats had become long-standing hazards, including one sunken near the River Room restaurant that posed a serious risk to boaters.

SCDNR provided staff, including a dive team to identify and recover vessels, while Georgetown County funded crane services, transported the boats from the harbor to the landfill, and waived disposal fees. Coastal Crane Services contributed a generous discount for the project, and a barge was donated by community member Sandy Tiller to support the operation.

"It was a real community effort," said Region 4 Officer Jason Dozier of SCDNR. "We couldn’t have done it without everyone working together.”

Wounded Nature–Working Veterans, a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit, played a key role. The organization mobilizes volunteer boaters and veterans to remove debris from challenging coastal environments, helping improve marine ecosystems and fish stocks.

Of the 11 boats removed, eight had legible registration tags—and five of those were from out of state. Three had been so damaged by the elements that their tags were unreadable.

Derelict boats have become a growing concern in South Carolina, harming water quality, posing navigational hazards, and degrading the beauty of our natural spaces. Current state law does not require boaters to carry liability insurance, making cleanup efforts difficult to fund.

“Until there is more legislation and funding in place, the burden falls on state agencies and the public,” said Rudy Socha, a licensed boat captain and CEO of Wounded Nature. “If your boat sinks or damages property, and you don’t have insurance, someone else has to clean up the mess.”

Proposed state legislation would require insurance for boaters, while another proposed bill would collect an annual $3 fee to help fund derelict vessel removals.

For now, thanks to the commitment of local agencies and community partners, Georgetown Harbor is a safer and cleaner place for all.