Helicopters eliminate neglected watercraft on a secluded island off the coast of Washington, resulting in scarcity of aerial boat sightings.
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Kate Gervais, the owner of Boston Harbor Marina, recently witnessed a bizarre spectacle - boats flying through the air. Not the usual aerial acrobatics you'd expect at a marina, but a firefighting helicopter scooping up abandoned boats off an uninhabited island in Puget Sound.
This week, the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) executed its largest operation of this kind, removing 14 vessels thanks to a federal grant from NOAA. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove explained that the agency chose to use a firefighting helicopter to save costs and stretch the budget.
However, boat removal by helicopter is normally a job for private pilots. The DNR opts for an aerial lift when towing would be too disruptive to the marine bed or surrounding environment—particularly in areas with valuable kelp beds, which support forage fish that salmon rely on.
The boats for this operation were found in hard-to-reach spots, at the tree line, or in mud, making an airlift the better option, according to agency staff. Since 2002, the DNR has hauled out over 1,200 derelict vessels, with at least 300 more left to clear.
The operation on Squaxin Island, an uninhabited island of cultural significance to the Squaxin Island Tribe, was funded by the federal grant. The tribe, whose people once shared vast lands in western Washington state, maintenance of clean beaches and water is crucial to their culture for future generations.
"The Squaxin Island Tribe is thrilled to collaborate with DNR to clean up derelict vessels on tribal lands," said Daniel Kuntz, the tribe's policy and program manager.
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- In Seattle, Washington state, the environmental science community is closely monitoring the impact of the growing number of derelict vessels on Puget Sound's kelp beds, which are crucial for salmon and other marine life.
- As the Washington state government continues to grapple with the issue of abandoned boats, locally-based environmental scientists are exploring sustainable solutions for transportation and energy in an effort to mitigate the effects of climate change on the region's environment.
- In an effort to combat the growing issue of derelict boats in Washington state, local financial institutions and the industry are working together to develop innovative, eco-friendly financing options for boat owners to dispose of their vessels responsibly.
- As the state and federal government invest millions of dollars in removing derelict boats, some environmental researchers are questioning the long-term impact of helicopter-based boat removal on the marine ecosystem and calling for further research in the field of environmental science.
- In tandem with the increased focus on the environment and climate change in Washington state, local universities are offering a growing number of degrees in environmental science and policy, as well as marine transportation and technology, to train the next generation of leaders in these fields.
