Abandoned and derelict vessels in Skagit County can pose an immediate threat to public health and the environment. Thanks to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Vessel Turn in Program (VTIP), local boat owners turned in 49 vessels to be safely recycled. Launched in La Conner on July 22, 2024, and completed in early November 2024, the Skagit County vessel turn-in event provided vessel owners the opportunity to responsibly dispose of their unwanted boats for free.

 

The Skagit County vessel turn-in event is a collaborative effort between Skagit Marine Resources Committee (MRC), Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (SITC), Skagit County, Port of Skagit, La Conner Maritime Service, Northwest Straits Commission, Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology).

 

All too often, abandoned and derelict vessels end up in marinas, rivers, landfills or marine habitats where they can harm the environment due to petroleum products, hazardous waste and other toxic materials stored on board.

 

Under the program, individuals with vessels at the end of their use or in disrepair applied to voluntarily turn in their vessels for free. Once approved, boats were then safely transported to a permitted facility to be deconstructed and recycled. For this event, La Conner Maritime Service at the Port of Skagit’s La Conner Marina deconstructed and recycled the vessels. 

 

DNR established VTIP to prevent boats from becoming derelict or abandoned on state aquatic lands, and potentially harming water quality and threatening public safety.

 

"The beauty of this program is that it both safeguards our marine environment and saves so much money," said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. "We are preventing these vessels from becoming abandoned and even sinking into our precious waterways where they become incredibly expensive to remove.”

 

The state saves costs by co-hosting vessel turn-in events with local partners because it focuses efforts to keep abandoned and derelict vessels out of state waters on a community scale.

 

This summer’s Skagit County vessel turn-in event follows a similar spring event in San Juan County in which 14 vessels were turned in.

 

“This program provided an excellent opportunity to work with our local, state, tribal and private partners, and bring our collective strengths and skills to the table for this important environmental program,” stated Sara Young, Executive Director for the Port of Skagit. “This event offers a proactive way to protect our marine environment, and it provides an important service to our local maritime community.”

 

According to Dana Oster, marine program manager for the Northwest Straits Commission, the vessel turn-in event was successful due to the collaboration by many partners, all contributing unique elements. By co-hosting, the team was able to use resources and expertise of state agencies like DNR and Ecology while also tapping into the local knowledge and community connections of local partners like the Swinomish, MRC, Skagit County, Port of Skagit, and La Conner Maritime. The team was able to reach the right audience and leveraged funds to create a cost-effective solution to keep vessels from becoming derelict or abandoned.

 

The removal of a 65-foot vessel last year from the shoreline north of Kukutali on the Swinomish Reservation underscored the challenges and cost of abandoned vessels. While a successful collaborative effort, the operation was expensive, with costs similar to or even greater than those anticipated for disposing of many of the vessels turned in at the current event.

 

“Swinomish is very grateful for this opportunity to co-host the vessel turn-in event,” said J.J. Wilbur, a Tribal Senator and Chair of the tribe’s Port Authority. “We’re a tight-knit fishing community and our team here has battled abandoned and derelict boats for many, many years. It’s helpful to partner with all of these outside entities to tackle the problem.”

 

The Skagit County event was funded by the Northwest Straits Commission, with congressional support from U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

 

View photos and videos from the event.

 

 

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Partner information

 

Department of Natural Resources - As steward of the state’s 2.6 million acres of aquatic lands, the state Department of Natural Resources manages the Derelict Vessel Removal Program. Since launching the program in 2002, DNR has removed more than 1,000 abandoned or neglected vessels from Washington’s waterways, making beaches, navigation channels and precious aquatic habitats safer and healthier.

Contact:  Zoe Love, Communications Consultant | Zoe.love@dnr.wa.gov | 360-790-1886

 

La Conner Maritime Service is a premier provider of comprehensive maritime solutions located in La Conner, Washington. Specializing in vessel maintenance, repair, custom fabrication, and offering expert services to both recreational and commercial boaters. La Conner Maritime Service is committed to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, and supports the maritime community in the Pacific Northwest.
Contact: Isaac Oczkewicz, General Manager | isaaco@laconnermaritime.com | 360-466-3629

 

The Northwest Straits Initiative is a community-led collaboration working to protect and restore the marine environment of northwest Washington. The NWS Initiative is made up of the NWS Commission, Foundation and seven local Marine Resources Committees. We protect and restore the marine environment of northwest Washington by collaborating with tribal, economic, recreational, and environmental interests in on-the-ground restoration, education, and monitoring projects. 

Contact: Jessica Owens, Communications Coordinator Northwest Straits Commission | owens@nwstraits.org | 564-900-0575

 

Port of Skagit is governed by an elected board of three commissioners, the Port of Skagit serves as an economic development engine for Skagit County by concentrating on our mission, Working Together for the Greater Good of the Skagit Valley. The Port’s essential purpose is to contribute to the economic vitality of Skagit County through the development of facilities and infrastructure that support local commerce, trade and tourism. The Port of Skagit owns and operates five main properties, including the La Conner Marina where the Skagit Vessel Turn-In event is being held. Contact: Linda Tyler, Port of Skagit Communications Director | LindaT@portofskagit.com | 360-757-0011

 

Skagit County is located along the I-5 corridor between Whatcom and Snohomish County, nestled between the San Juan Islands and Cascade Mountains. We are governed by a board of three county commissioners and serve to provide our community and natural environment with leadership that delivers inclusive support and services contributing to a safe, thriving, and sustainable place to live, work, and place. Contact: Jenn Rogers, Communications Manager |  jrogers@co.skagit.wa.us | 360-416-1309

 

Skagit Marine Resources Committee (MRC) was established in 1999 under the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative, the Skagit County MRC is dedicated to protecting and restoring the county's marine waters, habitats, and species. By combining sound science with community engagement, the MRC addresses local marine issues through collaborative, citizen-based projects. Funded in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the MRC relies on partnerships and volunteers to achieve significant environmental goals on a modest budget. Contact: Tracy Alker, Skagit County MRC and Water Resources Technician, tracya@co.skagit.wa.us | 360 416 – 1462

 

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community- The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is a federally recognized Indian Tribe with more than 1,000 members.  Swinomish is a legal successor to aboriginal bands that signed the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott.  Its Reservation is located 65 miles north of Seattle, Washington on Fidalgo Island.  Swinomish is committed to improving the lives and well-being of Tribal members through social and cultural programs, education, economic development, and resource protection. Contact: Swinomish Media Response | Swinomish Indian Tribal Community | media@swinomish.nsn.us

 

Washington Department of Ecology works to protect and sustain healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. Ecology’s innovative partnerships help protect, preserve, and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Contact: Curt Hart, Ecology Communications, curt.hart@ecy.wa.gov | (564) 250-2126