Work begins on abandoned vessel removal

By on October 27, 2021

Ocean Pursuit removal progress. (Photos by Cape Hatteras National Seashore)
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These photos, posted on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Flickr site, capture the early stages of the $295,000 project to remove an abandoned vessel from the beach south of Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s Oregon Inlet Campground.

The removal, which started on Oct. 25 and is being done by Cape Dredging, Inc. from Buxton, is expected to take approximately 30 days.

The former scallop boat, previously named the Ocean Pursuit and Cameron Scott, ran aground in its present location in early March 2020. It became abandoned after the National Park Service made unsuccessful attempts to have the owner claim and remove the vessel.

Ocean Pursuit to be removed from National Seashore

Comments

  • Glenn

    So are the taxpayers getting stuck with that removal bill? I don’t believe for one second the government can’t locate the owner & seize his property/freeze his banking accounts until the costs are covered.

    October 27, 2021 @ 11:13 am

  • David Smith

    Hopefully some if not all the cost can be recovered from the registered owner.

    October 27, 2021 @ 11:16 am

  • Bobby

    Your tax money at work. The boat owner will never pay anything on removing his vessel. Maybe we need to know the owner’s name and if they have any other boats operating. Do they still have a commercial license?

    October 27, 2021 @ 11:20 am

  • Seal

    I heard that some guy named Ben Dover is paying for this !

    October 28, 2021 @ 11:18 am

  • Be Responsible

    The owner is responsible for this large removal bill. Vessels are taxed, licensed, etc.
    It is not a difficult task to find the owner. The owner needs to pay every dime back to the county.

    October 28, 2021 @ 3:05 pm

  • Sean

    Why on earth did this go on for so long? Only cost more the longer it sits what a joke!

    October 28, 2021 @ 10:00 pm

  • Just Sayin

    Seal…Yes! And he is represented by the famous law firm Dewey, Skrewem and Howe!

    October 29, 2021 @ 5:33 am

  • Mark Jurkowitz | Outer Banks Voice

    Just, I loved the Three Stooges version of that law firm. — Dewey, Cheetum and Howe.

    October 29, 2021 @ 10:30 am

  • Pat

    I ride to Oregon inlet most everyday, it’s been amazing how many tourists walk from the parking lot at ramp 4 to see the “ship wreck”. Ever consider the dollars brought back to the local coffers for this stranding the past year and a half. Just another event that makes this place as mystical as it can be. I’m going to miss the temporary landmark.

    November 1, 2021 @ 7:26 am

  • Greg

    The vessel owner’s liability insurance should pay for it. One needs that for any damage done by the vessel. Just like Automobile liability insurance

    November 14, 2021 @ 12:29 pm