WADMALAW ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, alongside Stevens Towing, is planning to remove the former U.S. Navy torpedo vessel that has been abandoned in Bohicket Creek for years.

Officials said the vessel, which was grounded near a private dock near Johns Island, the U.S. Coast Guard removed 3,500 gallons of hazardous oil and oily water from the boat in 2024, which led to environmental and navigational hazards to the surrounding salt marsh.

“This removal is more than a cleanup — it’s a commitment to protecting our coastal resources and ensuring that sensitive habitats like our salt marshes remain healthy and resilient,” Dr. Tom Mullikin, Director of SCDNR, said. “This action shows that SCDNR takes both enforcement and restoration seriously.”

SCDN

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