The Port Authority of Guam has been awarded nearly $645,000 in grant funding to remove abandoned and derelict vessels from port-owned properties in southern Guam, officials announced Tuesday.
The funding, awarded by the BoatUS Foundation, will support the removal of 13 abandoned or sunken vessels that pose navigation hazards and environmental risks at several locations, including Agat Marina, the Harbor of Refuge, the seaplane ramp and F1 Pier. The Port Authority will provide a matching contribution of about $215,000, bringing the total project cost to nearly $860,000.
Port officials said the project aligns with ongoing territorial and national efforts to address abandoned and derelict vessels, which can threaten marine ecosystems, public health, commercial activity and waterway safety. The effort builds on work previously initiated by the Guam Abandoned Derelict Vessel Removal Group.
The grant was awarded through a nationally competitive program administered by the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation, with funding provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program. Projects were selected by a panel of independent salvage experts, nonprofit researchers, boating advocates and government planners.
Port Authority General Manager Rory J. Respicio said the award represents a significant step toward improving harbor safety and environmental stewardship.
“This grant allows us to clear hazardous derelict vessels, protect the marine environment, and restore working waterfront areas that serve our community and the region,” Respicio said, adding that the removal work will comply with all environmental requirements.
The Port Authority of Guam was among 10 organizations selected nationwide, spanning five states, one reservation and two U.S. territories. Officials said the project will also contribute to a national database tracking abandoned vessel locations and removals to support long-term prevention and cleanup efforts.