News Summary

An abandoned sailboat that sank in the Beaufort River has been declared a public hazard. Moored for over a decade, it poses navigation risks, and authorities are working to address the issue. Local marine construction experts have offered assistance in vessel removal, while other incidents of sinking boats highlight ongoing concerns in the area’s waters.

Beaufort: Abandoned Sailboat Declared Public Hazard After Sinking in Beaufort River

A sailboat that sank in the Beaufort River over the weekend has been formally declared abandoned and poses a public hazard.

The vessel had been moored near the Whitehall Boat Landing for over 12 years prior to its sinking on Saturday night. As of Wednesday, only the masts were still visible above water.

Duncan O’Quinn, owner of O’Quinn Marine Construction, informed the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) about the sunken boat. He has been actively involved in addressing the issue of abandoned vessels in South Carolina’s coastal waters.

• O’Quinn has volunteered his services for the removal of derelict vessels at no charge for the past eight years.
• The DNR finances the disposal of these vessels at a landfill once removed.
• Another group of boats that washed ashore during Tropical Storm Helene last September remain beached.

The DNR has placed an “abandoned vessel” placard on the sunken sailboat and is working to contact its owner. First Sgt. Juston Gantt from DNR’s law enforcement division mentioned that the sailboat had “some form of a leak.”

In a separate incident, a Coast Guard crew successfully rescued three individuals from another vessel that was sinking in Calibogue Sound. The crew members were transported to safety without major injuries.

Additionally, in Port Royal, an old shrimp boat recently sank after moving away from a city-owned dock. Port Royal is currently evicting boats to make way for a new dock and plans for seafood processing facilities.

The town manager indicated that the sunken shrimp boat presents a navigation hazard, particularly during nighttime. Authorities have notified both the Coast Guard and the Department of Health and Environmental Control regarding the situation.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Beaufort Residents Struggle with Abandoned Sailboats Post-Tropical Storm

Additional Resources

• Explore Beaufort: Coast Guard Rescues Crew
• Wikipedia: Coast Guard
• Island Packet: Local News
• Google Search: Beaufort River Sailing
• AP News: Missing Boaters
• Google Scholar: Sinking Boats
• Post and Courier: Abandoned Boats Ordinance
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Boating Safety
• Your Island News: Boating Accident Recovery
• Google News: Abandoned Boats South Carolina