Blue Boating Initiative (BBI)

Charity Organisation, Co-founded by MSc Marine Conservation students: “making abandoned boats a thing of the past.”

[Luke Pollard MP @LukePollard]

Superb way to start the day with a #snorkelsafari in the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. First time snorkelling in the sound and it was incredible seeing the fish, the crabs, seaweed and more just under the waves. Absolutely loved it. Give it a go #plymouth

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

Anybody spot the abandoned boats on BBC spotlight today? Skip to 4:52 to watch! https://t.co/BZ0kNtOG7J

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

@mjattrill Thanks @mjattrill we’ll be watching!

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

Meet the team, introducing the final team member!

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

Did you know it costs this much to dispose of a boat?! Usually the final owner who pays the least for a boat (at its lowest value too!) has to pay the high cost of disposal. This is one reason abandoned boats are so common✏️Becky Dodds

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

Meet the team, introducing James!

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

As abandoned boats degrade currents can transport parts over long distances, increasing their environmental footprint. Ultimately, some parts will break down into microplastics, which can accumulate in marine organisms and through the food chain 📷 Danielle Grumann

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

Meet the Team, introducing George Clarke!

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

Abandoned boats are not the same as vessels sunk to become wrecks and reefs for recreational purposes. Please don’t mistake the two! 📷 James Harris

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

Meet the Team, introducing Tom McAleese!

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

Once you find one abandoned boat, there’s usually a few more nearby! 📷Danielle Grumann

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

It’s time to meet the BBI team, first up is Becky Dodds!

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

There are two drivers of abandoned boats! 1. The boats are low value but have a high cost of disposal. 2. Difficult to identify boat owners as registration isn’t mandatory. As a result, it is easy and free to abandon a vessel with little risk of being caught or held accountable.

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

Abandoned boats are a serious hazard for the boating community and can cause collisions, especially if they sink. They are also dangerous for other ocean users, such as, swimmers, divers, kayakers, paddle boarders. Let’s keep everyone safe and end the threat of abandoned boats!

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

Abandoned boats leak different components into the surrounding area, like fuel, oils, fibreglass toxins. They crush important habitats and debris can entangle or be ingested by animals. Both types of pollution is extremely harmful to both marine and terrestrial habitats/species.

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

Also abandoned boats may be so old that they still contain traces of TBT which was banned in 1987 as it was highly toxic and very harmful to all life.

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

Anti-foul paints stop organisms from settling on the hull, however, they contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals that can be harmful to other marine life.

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

Zinc is used in the paints and research has shown to reduce larval growth of UK’s endangered native oysters which could reduce populations further, unfortunately for seafood lovers! Native oysters are found in the Blackwater estuary, Essex where there are many abandoned boats.

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

Did you know abandoned boats create the same amount of waste as over 1.2 million bags of rubbish?!

[Blue Boating Initiative (BBI) @BlueBoating]

An abandoned boat on the shore of the Blackwater estuary in Essex, attached by a single rope which has potential to become dangerous at high tide. Abandoned boats can become a health and safety risk to the public, as well as an eyesore at your favourite ocean places!