The State Lands Commission Removes Abandoned Vessels Languishing in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
SACRAMENTO – The State Lands Commission has conducted the largest single-site commercial abandoned vessel abatement and site restoration action in its history.
Abandoned vessels have plagued waterways throughout the state for decades, but nowhere are they more concentrated than in the Delta. The abandoned vessels the Commission removed from the Sevenmile Slough area of the Delta, at a location known as the Skarry site, had been abandoned in the water for years, continued to deteriorate, and were a navigational hazard. They were highly visible, attracting scavengers and vandals and marring the serenity of this beautiful area.
“The Delta is one of California’s most vital and cherished waterways, and it deserves to be protected,” said Lieutenant Governor and State Lands Commission Chair Eleni Kounalakis. “These abandoned vessels not only pose environmental and navigational hazards but also threaten the health and safety of nearby communities. As Chair of the State Lands Commission, I’m proud that we are taking decisive action to restore this site, protect our natural resources, and prevent illegal dumping in our public waterways.”
Skarry Brothers was a marine construction business that dumped its equipment in the Slough. Michael Skarry, the last known responsible party, died without disposing of his vessels and machinery, despite efforts by multiple agencies to hold him responsible. The abandoned vessels include several large crane barges, two tugboats, and smaller work and recreational vessels. Divers discovered another sunken vessel and other debris while the removal work was underway.
Law enforcement and regulators have responded to the cluster of abandoned vessels multiple times over the years at substantial expense to taxpayers. In 2022, the Commission removed the two tugboats. Now, over the month of May and into early June, the Commission removed the remaining abandoned vessels and restored the waterway.
“The breadth of this undertaking and its benefit on the Delta and taxpayers is stunning,” said State Controller and Commissioner Malia M. Cohen. “These vessels had been rotting in the water for over a decade. We harnessed our expertise and partnerships to mobilize a seamless removal and restoration operation that enhances public safety, environmental protection, and public access, while saving taxpayer dollars and preventing future incalculable environmental harm.”
Project highlights:
- Removed almost a thousand tons of debris from the Delta.
- Removed more than 1000 gallons of previously unknown diesel fuel from the largest crane barge.
- Removed two large barges directly from the water and disposed of them.
- Refloated and towed a large barge to the Mare Island industrial shipyard for disposal.
- Recycled scrap metal and hauled debris to a landfill for disposal.
- About 14 people on site every day, including a five-person dive team, salvage personnel, and a five-person barge team.
Over the last two years, the Commission has completed an inventory of abandoned commercial vessels in the Delta, removed nine high-priority commercial abandoned vessels from the water, and facilitated the removal of an additional 10 vessels by the actual responsible party.
The Commission’s job is to preserve and protect California waterways. Abandoned vessels, particularly commercial vessels, are a stubborn, perennial problem and expensive to remove. The Commission is committed to safely removing these vessels and thanks its partners for standing with us and fighting to make the Delta safe and protect California’s beautiful waterways. We accomplish more together.
Additional information is available in our Video Press Release, Fact Sheet, and Staff Report.
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