PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Multiple agencies worked together to remove a sinking boat in the harbor Monday morning, according to Portsmouth police.
The removal was a coordinated effort involving Portsmouth’s Crofton Industries, the Portsmouth Police and Fire departments, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The boat had been abandoned and left deteriorating after catching fire on Sept. 6.
Officials say the incident highlights a growing issue in Virginia’s waterways — the improper disposal of aging and unwanted vessels.
“At the root of the problem in Virginia Beach and in Virginia as a whole, there's no easy and affordable way to dispose of an unwanted vessel, so owners are in a bind,” said Mike Provost, executive director of the Vessel Disposal and Reuse Foundation.
Provost says unattended vessels like this one pose serious environmental threats. As boats age, fiberglass components can degrade and release harmful microplastics.
“The problem with these vessels is, as they age and leak oil, fluids, hazardous materials into the waterways, the fiberglass also breaks down over time and releases microplastics,” Provost said.
Lieutenant Michael Long with the U.S. Coast Guard led the pollution response to the Portsmouth incident. He authorized the use of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to mitigate the potential environmental damage.
“That allowed me to create a federal project and to remove all the pollution potential that the vessel had on board, to make sure it didn't have a significant impact on the local environment,” Long said.
Long urged boat owners to take more responsibility for their vessels, noting that many are neglected for long periods.
“People are paying for their vessels to use slips, but you don't know what's going on with your vessel,” he said. “It’s very important to make sure folks that have vessels are responsible for those vessels and what's on board.”
Provost echoed that advice, urging boat owners, especially those with older vessels, to have a contingency plan in case of damage or failure.
“If it takes on water, if it sinks, through-hull fittings fail, exhaust manifolds crack — those boats will take on water, and they will sink,” Provost said.
If you see an abandoned or potentially hazardous vessel, you should report it to the city or contact the Vessel Disposal and Reuse Foundation for assistance.
Provost says the community is invited to their Sunk Ship Gala, an annual fundraiser set for Jan. 10, 2026, at the Gala 417 in Virginia Beach.
“We’ve proven that we can remove these vessels fast and efficiently,” Provost said. “If you want to help our foundation, come to the Sunk Ship Gala.”
The event supports the foundation’s mission to clear abandoned and derelict boats from local waterways, protecting both the environment and the community. For more information, visit vdrf.net.
Pictures taken during the effort show people on a Crofton barge working to remove the boat, which was roughly half-submerged in the water.
Details on how the vessel started sinking and who owns it are not available yet.
