This financial assistance award will provide direct assistance to the new york city department of parks and recreation to remove at least 24 abandoned and derelict vessels (advs) and other large…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation a $2.72 million Cooperative Agreement under the Marine Debris Program (CFDA 11.999) effective October 1, 2025, with completion targeted for September 30, 2028. The primary deliverable is the removal of at least 24 abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) and over 4,000 cubic yards of marine debris from four designated project areas in New York City, totaling approximately 1,000,000 pounds of material. A licensed contractor will execute the removal operations, which target navigation hazards including sunken vessels that present safety risks to high-traffic boating areas and public beaches. The project addresses the unpredictable hazard conditions created when debris shifts location during tides and storms.

In addition to vessel and debris removal, project partners—the American Littoral Society and Coastal Preservation Network—will deliver community engagement and educational services including neighborhood outreach events, shoreline cleanups, educational activities, and informational materials distributed to boat owners and participants at yacht clubs and civic organizations. The comprehensive initiative is designed to create and support at least 75 jobs while delivering long-term benefits to public health, safety, navigation, tourism, recreation, and the regional economy by restoring the viability of marine and boating activities in New York City and surrounding areas.

This financial assistance award will provide direct assistance to the new york city department of parks and recreation to remove at least 24 abandoned and derelict vessels (advs) and other large marine debris, or an estimated 1,000,000 pounds .this project will remove advs that are known navigation hazards, including vessels that are sunken below the high tide mark and problematic to remove through ordinary means. A licensed contractor will remove 24 abandoned and/or derelict vessels and over 4,000 cubic yards of marine debris from the four project areas. Additionally, project partners at the american littoral society and coastal preservation network will host community engagement events for neighborhoods surrounding the project areas and host shoreline cleanups and educational activities. The grantee plans to engage boaters at yacht clubs, civic clubs, and community board meetings to gather information about the project areas, and develop educational materials to distribute to boat owners. Many of the targets identified for removal in this project have the potential to shift and change location in large tides or during storms, creating new unpredictable hazards in high-traffic boating areas and public beaches. The project will ensure the long-term viability of marine/boating activities in this area, thereby safeguarding american jobs and increasing tax revenue. This project will provide benefits to public health, safety, navigation, tourism, recreation, and the economy of new york city and surrounding areas, and will create and/or support at least 75 jobs.