Abandoned and Derelict Vessels (ADVs)
“Abandoned vessels are those left without authorization on public or private land, or State waters. Derelict vessels are those vessels that are sinking, actively polluting, obstructing a waterway, or endangering life or property.
An enforcement agency has the authority to seize vessels that meet these definitions.” Oregon State Marine Board
“Abandoned and derelict vessels can be seen in most ports and communities as one drives across rivers or while out boating and fishing on the waterways. These vessels are unsightly, threaten safe navigation, and can
pose environmental hazards.” LCDR Charles Bright, USCG Office of Marine Transportation “Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Removal” (Proceedings, Spring 2011)
Resource Library
Oregon’s ADV Program is administered by the Oregon State Marine Board, which then delegates authority for the removal and/or disposal of the vessel in question to the relevant enforcement agency under ORS 830.908 to ORS 830.948. The Oregon State Marine Board can be contacted by phone at 503-378-8587 or by email at marine.board@oregon.gov.
Report abandoned boats to the Marine Board: https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/boater-info/Pages/AbandonedDerelict-Boat-Reporting.aspx
Marine Law Enforcement: https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/boater-info/Pages/Marine-Law-Enforcement.aspx
More information about Oregon State Marine Board ADV programs: https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/boater-info/Pages/Abandoned-Derelict-Boats.aspx
The Department of State Lands’ responds to Abandoned and Derelict Vessels and Camping (ADVAC) issues by coordinating with state, federal, and community partners to minimize the impact of ADVs (abandoned and derelict vessels), live-aboard boating, and unauthorized camping on
state-owned waterways and lands.
Reporting ADV to Oregon Department of State Lands (state-wide, except Eugene): Jacob Taylor, Compliance and Outreach Specialist
Information requested when reporting ADV:
- Location (i.e. river mile, latitude/longitude, or any nearby landmark)
- Registration number or any other identifying articles on boat
- Is anyone living on the boat? Are there personal items visible on the boat?
- Any details about the boat you can provide (i.e. hull material, fuel on board, length of boat)
- Please include pictures
- Your name and email address
The Metro Abandoned and Derelict Vessels and Camping (MADVAC) team is a working group of citizens, local business owners, partner state agencies, local governments, and other stakeholders that come together quarterly to discuss ADVAC issues within the Portland Metro area. For information on upcoming meetings, please check the DSL ADV webpage.
NOAA’s Marine Debris program operates an ADV Info Hub to help monitor the thousands of abandoned and derelict vessels that litter ports, waterways, and estuaries around the country. The ADV Info Hub was created as a central source of information regarding ADVs and the policies surrounding them. It explains how ADVs are handled by each coastal state in an effort to bring together information and to create a comprehensive look at this subject.
ADV Info Hub [interactive website]