The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is recruiting a diverse group of volunteers to serve as peer reviewers for the Abandoned and Derelict Vessel (ADV) Removal Grant Program. Between December 2024 and July 2025, these volunteers will review applications for grants aimed at removing abandoned and damaged vessels from U.S. coastal areas and the Great Lakes. This initiative, part of a national effort to clean up waterways, seeks to improve safety and environmental conditions across the country.
Prospective reviewers are encouraged to apply by visiting the BoatUS Foundation website. The application deadline is set for November 1, 2024. Volunteers will play a key role in helping allocate resources for this large-scale cleanup.
The BoatUS Foundation received a four-year, $10 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program. This funding, made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is designed to address the issue of abandoned vessels along the nation's coastlines and in the Great Lakes. By participating in the review process, volunteers will contribute to this nationwide initiative aimed at improving environmental health and safety by removing ADVs from critical waterways.
Volunteers with expertise in fields such as marine debris management, boating, education, non-profits, government, marketing, grant management, financial analysis, and regulatory or legal sectors are encouraged to apply. Volunteers are expected to commit to at least one review cycle, lasting two to three months, with an estimated time commitment of 25 hours per cycle. This includes reviewing proposals independently and attending virtual meetings to discuss project evaluations.
By serving as grant reviewers, volunteers will contribute to the removal of harmful pollution and safety hazards posed by ADVs, helping to safeguard the environment for future generations. This collaborative effort aligns with the BoatUS Foundation’s mission to promote cleaner, safer waterways.
BoatUS Foundation President Heather Lougheed emphasized the program’s importance, noting that this initiative represents a coordinated and impactful investment in removing abandoned vessels. Lougheed expressed pride in working with NOAA to rid shores and waterways of marine debris. Over the next four years, the focus will be on addressing the large number of ADVs that require removal.
Looking ahead, Lougheed highlighted the Foundation's long-term goals, which include expanding the cleanup program to inland freshwater lakes and waterways. The ultimate aim is to see a reduction in ADV removals as education and preventive measures take hold, preventing vessels from becoming derelict in the first place.
Those interested in becoming grant reviewers are invited to learn more about the program and submit an application through the BoatUS Foundation’s Grant Reviewer Application page.
