Grants awarded for abandoned vessel removal in Portsmouth, Westerly

JANET COIT, director of the state Department of Environmental Management, said Rhode Island will use the $21 million-plus in federal grants for an array of water improvements projects/ PBN FILE PHOTO

PROVIDENCE – Grants totaling $29,678 have been awarded to Portsmouth and the Watch Hill Fire District in Westerly by the state Department of Environmental Management to help fund the removal of abandoned vessels from town waters.
“Marine refuse and, in particular abandoned vessels, pose a significant threat to the health of our waters and the safe passage of boaters,” DEM Director Janet L. Coit said in a statement. “Supporting efforts to remove obstructions is critical to the vitality of our waterways. We are pleased to be working with great partners in Portsmouth and Westerly to get these vessels safely removed for the benefit of boaters, wildlife and valuable coastal habitats.”

The town of Portsmouth received $23,400 to remove an abandoned vessel in waters off Blue Bill Cove. The Watch Hill Fire District received $6,278 to fund removal of a vessel on the shoreline of the Napatree Point Conservation Area; the boat had been destroyed by fire, according to the DEM.

Grants were funded through Rhode Island’s Derelict and Abandoned Vessel and Obstruction Removal Account.

This account, which is funded by a surcharge on boat registration fees, was established three years ago under state law to assist harbormasters and other authorized public entities in covering the costs associated with removal, disposal and/or sale of derelict and abandoned vessels and other obstructions.

- Advertisement -

The law also established a commission, chaired by the DEM, to oversee grant recommendations.

For information on the Derelict and Abandoned Vessel and Obstruction Removal grant program, visit www.dem.ri.gov or contact DEM.EnforcementChief@dem.ri.gov. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis – with priority given to emergency cases. Non-emergency applications are considered bi-annually.

No posts to display