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Tropical Islands Partnering on Solutions for Marine Debris logo (Credit: NOAA).
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F/V Charito aground in the nearshore waters of Saipan before removal (Photo credit: Pacific Coastal Research and Planning).
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Upcoming Webinar
Anchored in Collaboration: Reducing the ADV Burden
July 8, 2025
4:00 p.m. AST/EST, 10:00 a.m. HST
English
From removal to disposal, addressing abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) on islands presents unique challenges. Presenters will discuss the main obstacles they face in addressing ADVs in tropical islands and solutions they have been working on.
Español
Desde la remoción hasta la disposición final, el manejo de embarcaciones abandonadas en islas presenta desafíos únicos. Los ponentes hablarán de los principales obstáculos a los que se enfrentan en las islas tropicales y de las soluciones en las que han estado trabajando.
Our Speakers
Becky Skeele
Executive Director
Pacific Coastal Research and Planning (PCRP)
Removing ADVs and large marine debris are particularly challenging in small isolated island communities due to limited resources and their remote location. PCRP has successfully executed four ADV and large marine debris removal projects on the islands of Saipan and Tinian in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as well as in the Republic of Palau, and is currently working on another, but these projects have not been without their challenges. This talk will go over the various projects that PCRP has worked on, including the challenges faced and the solutions to move forward.
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Sandra Schleier Hernández
Vessel Grounding Coordinator
Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER)
The Puerto Rico DNER is in the process of implementing the 2024 approved Law 35, that defines abandoned vessels in Puerto Rico to reduce and better manage ADVs. While the law doesn’t hold owners accountable, it does create a pathway for individuals and organizations to legally claim abandoned vessels—keeping them out of landfills and giving them a second life. It also allows for the safe removal of ADVs without the risk of future legal disputes, helping protect our coasts and marine environments.
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Brittany Burtner
Senior Administrator
Monroe County Marine Resources Office
Monroe County’s Marine Resources Office partners with state and local agencies to address derelict vessels through coordinated removal efforts and proactive prevention strategies. Each year, the County removes 60-80 abandoned vessels using qualified marine contractors. To reduce future occurrences, the County supports prevention measures such as early notification to at-risk vessel owners, a voluntary vessel turn-in program, and expanded anchoring regulations aimed at reducing future derelict vessels in Keys waters.
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