Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers celebrated the launch of New York City’s official Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) web page on Tuesday, May 5. The move signified “a major step forward in the city’s efforts to combat abandoned boats and marine debris along local shorelines,” according to a press release.
The newly introduced web page, managed by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks), provides New Yorkers with information on how to “voluntarily surrender unwanted or derelict vessels before they become environmental or navigational hazards.” The site includes eligibility requirements, program details and surrender forms for boat owners seeking to part with old vessels in an environmentally responsible manner.
