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Boats Rot: Plastic Threatens Marine Life
22 Apr
Summary
- Abandoned fibreglass yachts leak plastic shards into waters.
- Pollution harms marine creatures, likened to asbestos.
- Disposal costs lead to abandonment, fueling environmental issue.
Abandoned fibreglass yachts are a growing environmental concern, releasing plastic shards that contaminate marine waters and harm sea creatures. These fragments, found embedded in marine life, are likened to asbestos for their toxic impact. The issue stems from the end-of-life phase of mass-produced leisure boats from the 1960s and 1970s, with no adequate disposal plans in place.
The high cost of yacht disposal, sometimes up to £1,200 for smaller vessels, leads many owners to abandon them. Steve Green, a boat engineer, operates Clean Ocean Sailing with his wife, using a converted van named Cecil to help remove these wrecks. His organization relies on grants and volunteers, facing significant personal financial strain to manage the problem.
Marine biologists are urging for abandoned boats to be classified as hazardous waste. Proposals for a French-style system, where manufacturers contribute to disposal costs and owners pay an annual tax, are being considered. Such a model could fund dedicated scrapping centers and encourage responsible end-of-life management for boats.
