The BoatUS Foundation was awarded a $10 million federal grant from NOAA’s Marine Debris Removal Program, enabling it to administer this national grant program for abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) removal. proHNS worked alongside the Metlakatla Indian Community (MIC) to secure $630,000 in grant funds towards the removal of 27 abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) from four coastal sites.
The funded project will ultimately remove ADVs scattered across Metlakatla’s Hemlock Island, local harbors, and town beaches. The defunct and deteriorating vessels pose pollution risks, occupy valuable harbor space, and endanger navigation as they break apart or sink, while also detracting from the community’s scenic coastline. Their removal will restore safe access, free up space for working vessels, protect sensitive marine habitat, and restore the area’s natural beauty. MIC’s ADV Removal grant program launched during the summer of 2025 and is slated to wrap up by June 2027.
For more information about this grant award, read the full news release by clicking on this link here.
