By Cullen Lea, Intern
Last month Captain David Wayne Luther was cited for continually using his vessel, The Raven, to prop dredge waters in Surf City, N.C., despite multiple warnings. The area dredged was delicate oyster nurseries. Now Luther faces prison time along with $200,000 in fines.
Often used to illicitly maintain boat slips and deepen routes for watercraft, prop dredging occurs when boat captains lower their engine into shallow depths and use it as an enormous blender. Underwater, anything hapless enough to get in the propeller’s way is churned up and spit out elsewhere. Sensitive vegetation and wildlife species become victims.
“Prop dredging can be done with any size propeller if the area is shallow enough,” said Michele Walker, N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources public information officer. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be a large vessel.”
Walker said individuals who prop dredge without proper permits are in violation of the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) and the Federal Clean Water Act. These laws are meant to preserve wildlife and their natural habitats, not just hunt down illegal dredgers.
“Our main mission is the preservation of marine vegetation, estuaries, fisheries and oyster beds,” Walker said. “To restore these areas costs a lot of time, money and manpower from marine fisheries, the Division of Water Resources and even the United States Army Corps of Engineers.”
Permit applications to dredge are approved by the N.C. Division of Coastal Management the N.C. Dredge and Fill Law.
As destructive as prop dredging can be for sea life, it can be equally detrimental to watercraft as well.
“When you push an engine that hard it can cause overheating,” said MarineMax technician Dennis McCain. “Water intake valves can also become clogged with sand and shells which is especially problematic for inboard props.”
Prop dredging is primarily reported by locals who have witnessed the event taking place. Reports are sent to the Division of Coastal Management.
“Violations of the Clean Water Act can imprison someone for up to two years and $100,000 in fines for negligent acts,” said Don Connelly, public information officer of the U.S. attorney’s office for the eastern district of N.C. “For intentional acts, people can go to jail for up to six years.”
In congested areas like Wrightsville Beach, N.C., illegal prop dredging is less likely to take place. However, in more remote areas like Hampstead and Topsail Island, dredging has been reported by locals. Those who think they have witnessed illegal prop dredging can file a complaint with the Wildlife Resources Commission or U.S. Coast Guard.
Boat owners have concocted elaborate and creative ways to clear waters with their engines.
“I’ve seen boats weigh down PVC pipes with cinder blocks and drag them underwater to make undesignated channels,” said Ryan Glass, a commercial fisherman for six years. “It’s a terrible abuse of power for personal gains and it affects my livelihood.”
Glass reiterated the act impacts sea life habitat, especially stone crabs, which live under soft mud and are the first to be displaced or killed. Restoration can take up to 10 years.
“These individuals need to realize that no matter how far their property extends these are still public waters,” Glass said.
