Boat Owner Faces Felony Littering Charges After Vessel Runs Aground

The abandoned boat washed ashore at Freeman Park in Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A boat owner is facing felony littering charges after abandoning their vessel in waters near Carolina Beach, North Carolina. The boat later washed ashore at Freeman Park, prompting the town's harbormasters to remove and transport it to the municipal marina. Town officials say finding the owner was difficult as the boat had not been registered since 2018.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing problem of abandoned and derelict vessels in coastal areas, which can pose environmental and navigational hazards. Carolina Beach has taken steps to address this issue, including updating local codes to give harbormasters more authority to enforce violations.

The details

The vessel was abandoned on December 6, 2025 and drifted onto Freeman Park the following day. Carolina Beach harbormasters removed the grounded boat and transported it to the municipal marina. Town officials said finding the boat's owner was difficult because the vessel had not been registered since 2018, when it was last sold.

  • The vessel was abandoned on December 6, 2025.
  • The boat drifted onto Freeman Park the following day on December 7, 2025.
  • Charges were filed against the owner on January 27, 2026.

The players

Jarrett Anderson

The senior harbormaster for the Town of Carolina Beach.

Town of Carolina Beach

The local government that has increased efforts to address abandoned vessels in its waters, including updating codes to give harbormasters more enforcement authority.

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What they’re saying

“It is significantly less expensive and less environmentally damaging to remove a vessel while it is still floating, rather than after it becomes submerged and filled with sand.”

— Jarrett Anderson, Senior Harbormaster (WECT)

“These charges send a clear message. The Town of Carolina Beach will no longer tolerate vessels being abandoned along its shoreline and will make every effort to hold responsible parties accountable.”

— Jarrett Anderson, Senior Harbormaster (WECT)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the boat owner to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing problem of abandoned boats in coastal areas and the efforts by local authorities to crack down on this issue through updated regulations and enforcement. It serves as a warning to boat owners about the consequences of leaving vessels unattended in public waters.