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Georgetown officials mark removal of 20 derelict boats from harbor
Summary
Speakers at a ceremony on Georgetown port property said 20 derelict vessels have been removed and "tens of thousands of pounds" of debris cleared through a partnership among Georgetown County, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and a veterans group.
A presenter at a ceremony on Georgetown port property said the community has completed a cleanup that removed 20 derelict vessels and cleared "tens of thousands of pounds of debris" from the harbor.
The presenter credited the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and a veterans group for operational work, and said Georgetown County contributed personnel, funding and landfill support. "This would not have been possible without the leadership of my friend Dr. Tom Mullikin," the presenter said, praising Mullikin's first year at the Department of Natural Resources.
The event highlighted a multi‑partner effort begun last summer, when Georgetown County and state DNR joined with the veterans group (transcribed as "wounded nature working veterans") to remove abandoned and sunken vessels. The presenter said DNR brought staff and a dive team to execute removals and that community members such as Sandy Tiller also provided resources.
Officials framed the removals as both an environmental and navigational improvement. "These are not just environmental hazards. These are not just navigational hazards," the presenter said, adding that the work makes the harbor safer and the waterways cleaner for wildlife and future seafood harvests.
The presenter said funding will continue "until we have no more derelict boats," signaling ongoing removal efforts. The remarks closed with thanks to volunteers, agency staff and county personnel.
Details provided at the ceremony included the count of vessels removed (20) and a description of debris quantities as "tens of thousands of pounds." A named county employee, "Harold," was mentioned as providing personnel support; the transcript did not provide a last name. The veterans group name appears in the transcript as "wounded nature working veterans"; the exact official name was not specified in the remarks.
The ceremony did not record any formal votes or policy actions. Attendees described the effort as a partnership of county, state and community organizations; presenters said the county will continue to fund removals as needed.
