SCDES launches enhanced tools to address abandoned and derelict vessels along South Carolina coast
March 31, 2026
The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services’s Bureau of Coastal Management (BCM) has announced the launch of new and improved tools to address abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) across coastal South Carolina.
Abandoned and derelict vessels remain a persistent issue in the state’s coastal environment. These vessels can damage sensitive marsh and bottom habitats, interfere with safe recreational use of waterways, and negatively impact the visual quality of coastal landscapes. The newly enhanced tools — available at MyCoast.org/SC/boat and des.sc.gov/adv — were developed through the MyCoast South Carolina platform to improve public reporting, streamline interagency coordination, and increase transparency around ongoing efforts to address ADVs.
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“Abandoned and derelict vessels pose real risks to our environment and our communities,” said SCDES Director Myra Reece. “These new tools will make it easier for the public to report problem vessels and strengthen coordination between SCDES, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and local partners — helping agencies respond more efficiently and protect South Carolina’s coastal resources.”
As part of these updates, public boat reports submitted through MyCoast now route directly to appropriate South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Law Enforcement Division personnel and SCDES compliance project managers for review. BCM also has developed a centralized ADV database to improve communication and coordination among state, county and municipal partners, helping streamline investigations and documentation across the state’s eight coastal counties.
In addition, BCM has launched an updated public, interactive ADV dashboard. The dashboard provides real-time information on vessels under investigation, those eligible for removal, and vessels that have been removed since 2019, offering greater visibility into ADV efforts within South Carolina’s coastal zone.
BCM staff are available to answer questions about the new ADV tools. Learn more about the ADV program at des.sc.gov/adv and view the dashboard at MyCoast.org/SC/boat.
