Page 18 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2024

COAST NOTE
ABANDONED VESSELS
TO BE REMOVED FROM GULF COAST WATERWAYS
story courtesy of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance photo by Roy Lipscomb
More than $7 million will go toward the removal of abandoned derelict vessels and other large marine debris along the Gulf Coast thanks to funding awarded to the
Gulf of Mexico Alliance. This project is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Formed by the governors of the five Gulf states to increase regional collaboration, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance brings together diverse talent and maximizes the impact of available funding to address priority environmental issues in ways a single entity cannot.
“Nearly 100 derelict vessels have already been identified for removal,” said Laura Bowie, Gulf of Mexico Alliance executive director. “Over the next four years, we’ll work with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and state agency partners to remove these vessels. This will improve coastal and marine habitats for the people and wildlife that call the Gulf home.”
Whether due to natural occurrence or negligence, once lost or abandoned, derelict vessels can destroy habitat, leak pollutants, and pose a navigation hazard to boaters. Coordinated, cautious removal efforts can minimize the negative impacts of marine debris to critical habitats, wildlife and people.
Ain’t That Nifty
Robert Ridgway Wins $50,000
story by Cherie Ward
photo courtesy of the
United Way of South Mississippi
The $50,000 grand prize winner in the United Way of South Mississippi’s Nifty 50 Raffle was drawn and the lucky ticket holder was Robert Ridgway.
United Way of South Mississippi CEO Kathy Springer said the annual event is a community effort. “It just takes everyone to help those in need,” Springer said. “And none of this would happen without our board, our staff, our volunteers, the friends of United Way, all the partner agencies, and our funding partners.”
The organization serves Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River, and Stone counties and funds raised from the annual raffle will be reinvested into the Gulf Coast through its community impact grants.
“We work hard on issues like food insecurity, literacy, and early childhood education as well as access to healthcare and so the funds from this benefit will help us fund our agencies who work in those areas,” Springer said.
The annual event took place in November at the Rack House Steaks & Spirits in Gulfport and also awarded an additional
60 elite door prizes. Springer said the organization is already planning and looking forward to the Nifty 50 Raffle later this year.
18 | January 2024
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