Terrebonne Parish Launches Major Effort to Remove Derelict Vessels
Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government is launching the Marine Debris Removal Project following recent hurricanes to address navigational and environmental hazards caused by derelict vessels in local waterways. These abandoned and sunken vessels are a hazard to navigation, damage the natural habitat, and can leak oil or other toxic substances.
A comprehensive survey conducted in 2024 utilized advanced technologies to conduct a thorough assessment of four parish waterways: Bayous Terrebonne, Grand Caillou, Petit Caillou, and Dularge. The survey provided an accurate target list of 232 vessels to be removed from these waterways and included essential details for each target, such as GPS location, vessel description, and dimensions.
TPCG has reviewed this list and determined that initial removal activities would be best served in Bayou Grand Caillou where, in a roughly 8-mile stretch of the bayou, there are clusters of vessels that appear to be floating. These 33 vessels comprise Phase 1 of the Marine Debris Removal Project and have already received necessary permits for their removal.
Parish President Bergeron emphasized the importance of this project, stating, “Removing these derelict vessels is critical to ensuring the safety of our citizens and protecting our cherished waterways, which are both priorities for Terrebonne Parish. We are committed to working with the community to ensure a thorough and beneficial removal process.”
To fund this initiative, the parish has allocated $1 million for the Marine Debris Removal Project and is actively pursuing additional funding opportunities.
TPCG urges vessel owners to come forward if they claim ownership of any of the targeted vessels. As per Chapter 14 of the Terrebonne Parish Code, derelict vessels are considered nuisances, and owners are required to remove them within 30 days of the official notice publication. For detailed information of the identified vessels and their descriptions please see Houma Today. In addition, each vessel targeted for removal in phase 1 will have a sticker affixed in the coming weeks.
For more information or to report ownership of a vessel slated for removal please contact TPCG's Nuisance Abatement Division at (985) 873-6563.
