Surveys of abandoned vessels: Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Lord C, Plank C, Zelo I, Helton D. 2003. Surveys of abandoned vessels: Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Washington, DC
Grounded and abandoned vessels are a problem in many coastal areas, and they are a significant threat for coral reef habitats. In addition to the physical crushing and smothering of habitats, grounded vessels pose a significant threat of oil spills and releases of other pollutants, may impede navigation, block public and private uses of intertidal and subtidal habitats such as aquaculture, become a site for illegal dumping of waste oils and hazardous materials, be a visual eyesore, and become a wildlife entrapment and public health hazard. The following report summarizes survey work conducted during June of 2003 in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Along the coast of Guam there are 131 abandoned vessel sites recorded in the databases provided by NOAA and the U.S. Navy. Because the surveys were conducted rapidly using only snorkeling equipment, vessels deeper than approximately 40 feet (ft) were typically not surveyed; 80 vessel sites were excluded due to depth. The remaining 51 sites were accounted for through field surveys and interviews with local Department of Agriculture staff and USCG personnel. Twenty-six (26) vessel sites were listed in the NOAA database for the islands of Saipan, Rota, and Tinian in the CNMI. Ten (10) vessels were considered too deep (> 40 ft) and were not surveyed for logistical reasons. Four (4) vessels have been salvaged, dry docked, or otherwise removed.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Lord, Christine; Plank, Colin; Zelo, Ian; Helton, Doug
- Date of Issue
- 2003-10
- Publisher
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Units
- AMME , PACN
- Keywords
- abandoned vessels, Coastal-Marine Systems, Coral Reef, Marine Debris, Restoration-Natural, submerged resources, typhoon Chataan