South Carolina Launches Real-Time Abandoned Boat Tracker

New online tool allows public to report and monitor derelict vessels in state waters

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:06am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, graphic silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeated pattern of an abandoned motorboat hull in bright neon colors, conceptually representing the issue of derelict vessels in coastal areas.A pop art-inspired visualization of the growing problem of abandoned boats in South Carolina's coastal waters, which this new public tracking system aims to address.Charleston Today

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services has launched a new online dashboard that allows the public to track and report abandoned and derelict boats in the state's coastal waters. The tool provides real-time data on the number of vessels under investigation, awaiting removal, and already cleared from the water, aiming to bring more transparency to this long-standing issue.

Why it matters

Abandoned and derelict boats can pose environmental and navigational hazards in coastal areas. This new public tracking system is designed to speed up the reporting and removal process, ultimately reducing the number of deteriorating vessels left in South Carolina's waterways.

The details

The online dashboard shows that currently there are 50 vessels under investigation, 26 awaiting removal, and 124 that have been removed or destroyed since 2019. The tool allows residents to report any abandoned or nuisance boats they spot, which could help state agencies like the Department of Natural Resources locate and clear these vessels more efficiently.

  • The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services launched the new online tracker on April 3, 2026.

The players

South Carolina Department of Environmental Services

The state agency that oversees environmental protection and has launched the new abandoned boat tracking system.

Rudy Socha

A representative of the Wounded Nature Society, a group that works with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to locate, remove, and dispose of abandoned vessels.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

The state agency that collaborates with groups like the Wounded Nature Society to handle the cleanup and removal of abandoned boats.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This will come in handy as new boats are added or end up in our waterways. We'll know about it immediately. We'll have an inventory, and between us and DNR, we can decide how we're going to handle each new watercraft that shows up in the waterways.”

— Rudy Socha, Representative, Wounded Nature Society

What’s next

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services plans to continue monitoring the dashboard and work with the Department of Natural Resources to prioritize the removal of the most hazardous abandoned boats.

The takeaway

This new public tracking system for abandoned boats in South Carolina's coastal waters aims to increase transparency, speed up reporting, and ultimately reduce the number of deteriorating vessels left in the state's waterways, which can pose environmental and navigational risks.