The city Parks Department’s Office of Marine Debris Disposal and Vessel Surrendering has removed more than 260 vessels from the waters of Jamaica Bay, according to Councilmember Joann Ariola (R-Howard Beach, and more than 600 from the city’s waterways in total.
To celebrate the feat, Ariola gathered with Parks officials and Jamaica Bay advocates, including Roger Gendron of the New Hamilton Beach Civic Association and Dan Mundy Jr. of the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers, in Broad Channel to observe as three surrendered vessels were removed from the waters of Jamaica Bay on Tuesday.
The Office of Marine Debris Disposal and Vessel Surrendering was established as a result of a City Council bill, introduced by Ariola, that passed in 2022.
The office has a vessel turn-in program, through which residents can surrender their unwanted boats instead of leaving them on the shoreline, which Parks has said can pose serious risks to navigation, public safety and property.
The program is free, though vessel owners are responsible for all outstanding debts owed. More information is available at nycgovparks.org/facilities/boating/vtip.
Ariola, in a post on social media, wrote, “The creation of this office is one of my proudest accomplishments as a legislator. …. This is an absolutely incredible milestone, and I would like to thank everyone who played a part in making this happen. Together, we are creating a cleaner, healthier bay for future generations to enjoy.”