Our Track Record
Past Accomplishments
Accomplishments listed by date performed. Since 2010, Wounded Nature–Working Veterans has removed over 300 derelict vessels and conducted dozens of coastal cleanups across South Carolina and beyond.
2026
Back to topNine Boats Removed at Johns Island Landing
Partnered with SCDNR to remove nine derelict boats at Johns Island Landing on the Stono River — covered by ABC News 4 (WCIV) and The Post and Courier. One of the largest single-operation removals in the organization's history.
- 9 vessels removed
- Johns Island Landing, SC
- SCDNR partnership
- ABC News 4 coverage
- July 2026
Charleston Harbor Cleared of Abandoned Boats
Led a major push to clear abandoned boats from Charleston Harbor in a combined safety and environmental operation, covered by Live 5 News (WCSC). The effort addressed vessels posing navigation hazards and leaching pollutants into the harbor.
- Charleston Harbor, SC
- Live 5 News coverage
- Safety & environmental push
- March 2026
SC Senate Resolution S.1148 – Rudy Socha Recognized
The South Carolina Senate passed Resolution S.1148 on April 28, 2026, formally recognizing Rudy Socha and Wounded Nature–Working Veterans for outstanding environmental service to the state of South Carolina.
- SC Senate Resolution S.1148
- April 28, 2026
- State recognition
- Rudy Socha honored
Boating Magazine Feature: On Board With Rudy Socha
Boating Magazine published a national feature profile on Rudy Socha and the Wounded Nature mission, bringing the organization's work to a nationwide boating audience.
- Boating Magazine
- National feature
- February 7, 2026
2025
Back to topSunken Vessels Cleared from Charleston Area Rivers
Led a multi-mission effort to clear sunken and abandoned vessels from Charleston-area rivers throughout fall 2025, covered by Live 5 News in November. Operations included coordination with Charleston County deputies.
- Charleston rivers, SC
- Live 5 News coverage
- Charleston County deputies
- November 2025
Abandoned Boats and Thousands of Pounds of Waste Cleared in Georgetown
Removed abandoned boats and cleared thousands of pounds of waste from Georgetown waterways in August 2025, covered by Live 5 News — one of the largest waste-volume operations of the year.
- Georgetown, SC
- Thousands of lbs waste removed
- Live 5 News coverage
- August 2025
Safety and Environmental Risk Boats Removed from Charleston Waterways
Removed abandoned boats posing active safety and environmental risks from Charleston waterways in June 2025, as covered by Live 5 News. The operation targeted vessels leaking fuel and blocking navigation channels.
- Charleston waterways, SC
- Safety risk removal
- Live 5 News coverage
- June 2025
State Officials Tour Charleston Waterways and Ecosystems
Hosted state officials for a firsthand look at the harms caused by derelict vessels to Charleston waterways and ecosystems, covered by Live 5 News — building legislative momentum for stronger derelict vessel laws.
- Charleston waterways, SC
- State officials tour
- Live 5 News coverage
- May 2025
SC Lawmakers Push New Bill Addressing Abandoned Boats
Wounded Nature's advocacy contributed to SC lawmakers pushing a new bill to address abandoned boats in state waterways, covered by Live 5 News in March 2025 — a major legislative milestone for the organization.
- SC Legislature
- Abandoned boats bill
- Live 5 News coverage
- March 2025
Abandoned Boat Removed from Charleston Harbor
Removed an abandoned boat from Charleston Harbor in February 2025, covered by Live 5 News — continuing the ongoing effort to keep the harbor clear of derelict vessels.
- Charleston Harbor, SC
- Live 5 News coverage
- February 2025
2024
Back to topStono River Cleanup
Conducted a major cleanup operation along the Stono River, removing derelict vessels and debris from one of the most heavily impacted waterways in the Charleston area. Documented on the Wounded Nature YouTube channel.
- Stono River, SC
- Vessel and debris removal
- YouTube documented
- 2024
Derelict Boat Removal Mission
Executed a documented derelict boat removal mission, captured on video for the Wounded Nature YouTube channel — showcasing the technical complexity and teamwork required to safely remove sunken and derelict vessels.
- Derelict vessel removal
- YouTube documented
- 2024
Charleston Magazine Feature: Cleanup Crew
Charleston Magazine published a major feature — 'Cleanup Crew: How Wounded Nature–Working Veterans Helps Restore Local Waterways and Wildlife' — bringing the organization's story to a regional audience and highlighting the veteran-led conservation mission.
- Charleston Magazine
- Regional feature
- October 2024
2023
Back to topCabin Cruiser Removal at Dewees Inlet
Removed an abandoned cabin cruiser from Dewees Inlet, restoring safe navigation and protecting the sensitive estuarine habitat at this barrier island inlet.
- Dewees Inlet, SC
- Derelict vessel removal
- 2023
Even the Weather Couldn't Keep These Volunteers Down
Despite challenging weather conditions, Wounded Nature volunteers pushed through to complete a coastal cleanup mission — a testament to the dedication of our veteran-led crew.
- Coastal cleanup
- Volunteer mission
- 2023
2022
Back to topMore Than 8,500 Pounds of Fiberglass and Lead Removed
Removed more than 8,500 pounds of fiberglass and lead from the environment in a single operation — one of the largest single-mission material recoveries in Wounded Nature's history.
- 8,500+ lbs removed
- Fiberglass & lead
- 2022
Governor McMaster Sees Derelict Boat Removal Firsthand
Governor Henry McMaster joined Wounded Nature–Working Veterans to witness firsthand the complexity of removing derelict boats from Charleston's waterways, raising statewide awareness of the issue.
- Governor McMaster
- Charleston waterways
- 2022
Abandoned Sailboat Removed from Ashley River
Successfully removed an abandoned sailboat from the Ashley River, clearing a hazard to navigation and eliminating a source of ongoing pollution to the river ecosystem.
- Ashley River, SC
- Sailboat removal
- 2022
Senator Chip Campsen Joins Boat Removal at Bennett's Point
Wounded Nature–Working Veterans and SC Senator Chip Campsen teamed up to remove a sunken boat at Bennett's Point, highlighting the importance of legislative support for coastal conservation.
- Bennett's Point, SC
- Senator Campsen partnership
- 2022
The Rusty is Raised!
Raised and removed the derelict vessel known as the 'Rusty' from the Charleston anchorage area, along with the 'Minx' — a complex dual-vessel operation requiring specialized equipment.
- Charleston anchorage
- Dual vessel removal
- 2022
2022 Spring Harbor Cleanup and Oyster Reef Build
Local volunteers joined Wounded Nature for the 2022 Spring Harbor Cleanup, combining debris removal with oyster reef construction to restore both water quality and marine habitat.
- Charleston Harbor
- Oyster reef build
- Spring 2022
VOLbreaks and Wounded Nature Team Up to Clean Up
Partnered with VOLbreaks to bring student volunteers to the coast for a combined cleanup effort, expanding Wounded Nature's reach and engaging the next generation of environmental stewards.
- Student volunteers
- VOLbreaks partnership
- 2022
Georgetown Riverwalk Improved by Removing Boats
Removed abandoned vessels from the Georgetown Riverwalk area, improving the aesthetics and safety of this popular waterfront destination and restoring the river corridor.
- Georgetown, SC
- Riverwalk restoration
- 2022
2021
Back to topWounded Nature Cleans Up Before the Holidays
Closed out 2021 with a pre-holiday coastal cleanup, removing debris and abandoned materials from local waterways before winter set in.
- Coastal cleanup
- December 2021
Volunteers Make It Look Easy on James Island
A highly efficient cleanup on James Island, SC demonstrated the skill and coordination of Wounded Nature's experienced volunteer crew, removing significant debris in record time.
- James Island, SC
- Volunteer cleanup
- 2021
Removal of the Last Horry County Boats
Completed the final phase of the Horry County derelict boat removal project, clearing the last abandoned vessels from county waters in a multi-year collaborative effort.
- Horry County, SC
- Project completion
- 2021
Boats 104 Through 106 Removed
Removed vessels numbered 104 through 106 in Wounded Nature's running tally of derelict boat removals — continuing the march toward the historic 100th milestone and beyond.
- Vessels #104-106
- Running total milestone
- 2021
Annual Fall Event 2021
Held the annual fall fundraising and community event, bringing together supporters, volunteers, and partners to celebrate the year's accomplishments and plan for the future.
- Annual event
- Community fundraiser
- Fall 2021
Major Milestone - 100th Abandoned Boat Removed!
Reached the historic milestone of removing the 100th abandoned boat from South Carolina's waterways — a landmark achievement for Wounded Nature–Working Veterans and a testament to years of dedicated effort.
- 100th vessel removed
- Historic milestone
- 2021
Volunteers Clean Hog Island Marsh
Wounded Nature–Working Veterans and volunteers conducted a thorough cleanup of Hog Island Marsh, removing debris and restoring the marsh ecosystem.
- Hog Island Marsh, SC
- Marsh restoration
- 2021
Collaborative Effort to Remove Abandoned Boats from Horry County
Led a multi-agency collaborative effort to remove abandoned boats from Horry County waters, working alongside local government and conservation partners.
- Horry County, SC
- Multi-agency effort
- 2021
Folly River Boat Ramp Cleared of Abandoned Vessels
Partnered with local agencies to ensure the Folly River boat ramp was fully cleared of abandoned vessels, restoring public access and improving safety for recreational boaters.
- Folly River, SC
- Boat ramp clearance
- 2021
Sunken Sailboat Removed
Assisted in the removal of a sunken sailboat from local waters, a technically challenging operation requiring dive support and heavy lift equipment.
- Sunken vessel recovery
- Dive support operation
- 2021
Triple Play - Three Derelict Boats in One Week
In a remarkable display of operational efficiency, Wounded Nature removed three derelict boats in a single week — a record pace for the organization's removal efforts.
- 3 vessels in one week
- Record pace
- 2021
Uncooperative Boat Removal
Successfully removed a particularly stubborn derelict vessel that resisted standard removal techniques, requiring creative problem-solving and additional equipment.
- Complex removal
- Non-standard techniques
- 2021
950 Oyster Bags Laid - Debris Removed (Covid Safe)
Laid 950 oyster bags while removing debris — all while maintaining Covid safety protocols. A landmark oyster restoration effort demonstrating that conservation work continued through the pandemic.
- 950 oyster bags
- Covid-safe operation
- Debris removal
- 2021
Isle of Palms - North End Cleanup
Cleaned the north end of Isle of Palms in January 2021, removing debris from the beach and dune areas at the start of the new year.
- Isle of Palms, SC
- North end beach
- January 2021
2020
Back to topFolly River Boat Removal
Removed an abandoned boat from the Folly River, clearing a hazard from one of Charleston's most popular recreational waterways.
- Folly River, SC
- Vessel removal
- 2020
Stono River Boat Inventory
Conducted a comprehensive inventory of abandoned and derelict boats along the Stono River, documenting vessels for future removal operations and coordinating with state agencies.
- Stono River, SC
- Vessel inventory
- SCDNR coordination
- 2020
Grampian Sailboat Removal with Great Lakes Dredge and Dock
Partnered with Great Lakes Dredge and Dock to remove the Grampian sailboat — a large, complex removal requiring heavy marine equipment and professional dredging expertise.
- Grampian sailboat
- Great Lakes Dredge and Dock
- Heavy lift operation
- 2020
Cooper River Boatyard Abandoned Boat Pullout
Facilitated the removal of abandoned boats from the Cooper River Boatyard, working with the boatyard to clear derelict vessels and restore the facility.
- Cooper River Boatyard, SC
- Boatyard clearance
- 2020
Drum Island 2020 - Oysters and Debris
Returned to Drum Island for another combined oyster bed restoration and debris removal mission, continuing the multi-year effort to restore this critical Charleston Harbor habitat.
- Drum Island, Charleston Harbor
- Oyster restoration
- Debris removal
- 2020
2019
Back to topRaptor Point - Jamaica Bay, NY
Extended operations to Raptor Point at Jamaica Bay, New York — cleaning a critical raptor and migratory bird habitat within the Gateway National Recreation Area.
- Jamaica Bay, NY
- Raptor habitat
- Gateway NRA
- 2019
Daniel Island Tidal Marsh
Cleaned the tidal marsh areas around Daniel Island, removing debris and restoring the marsh ecosystem adjacent to one of Charleston's most developed barrier islands.
- Daniel Island, SC
- Tidal marsh cleanup
- 2019
2018
Back to topGateway National Recreational Area - Floyd Bennett Field, NY
Conducted a major cleanup at Floyd Bennett Field within the Gateway National Recreation Area in New York, removing debris from this historic former naval air station turned national park.
- Floyd Bennett Field, NY
- Gateway NRA
- National park cleanup
- 2018
Sandy Hook, NJ - National Park System
Cleaned Sandy Hook, New Jersey — a barrier peninsula within the Gateway National Recreation Area and a critical stopover for migratory shorebirds along the Atlantic Flyway.
- Sandy Hook, NJ
- National Park System
- Migratory bird habitat
- 2018
Drum Island - Laying an Oyster Bed 2018
Laid a new oyster bed on Drum Island near the Ravenel Bridge, continuing the multi-year oyster reef restoration program that has significantly improved water quality in Charleston Harbor.
- Drum Island, Charleston Harbor
- Oyster bed installation
- 2018
2017
Back to topEclipse Cleanup on Cedar Island
Organized a major cleanup on Cedar Island timed around the 2017 solar eclipse, removing heavy debris and storm wreckage from one of the most remote stretches of South Carolina coastline.
- Cedar Island, SC
- Solar eclipse event
- Remote coastal access
- 2017
Party City Employees Assist Cleaning South Island
Party City employees volunteered alongside Wounded Nature to clean South Island, demonstrating the power of corporate volunteer partnerships in coastal conservation.
- South Island, SC
- Party City volunteers
- Corporate partnership
- 2017
Drum Island - Oysters and Debris, March 2017
Combined oyster bed restoration and debris removal on Drum Island in March 2017, part of the ongoing effort to restore this key Charleston Harbor habitat.
- Drum Island, Charleston Harbor
- Oyster restoration
- March 2017
2016
Back to topTidal Marsh - Patriots Point Yorktown
Cleaned the tidal marsh adjacent to Patriots Point and the USS Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, SC — removing debris from a historically significant and ecologically sensitive area.
- Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant, SC
- USS Yorktown
- Historic site cleanup
- 2016
South Santee Cedar Island Coastal Cleanup
Conducted a major coastal cleanup on South Santee Cedar Island, one of the most remote and ecologically significant barrier islands on the South Carolina coast.
- South Santee Cedar Island, SC
- Remote barrier island
- 2016
Drum Island - Laying an Oyster Bed and Debris Removal
Laid oyster beds and removed marine debris from Drum Island, continuing the multi-year restoration program for this critical Charleston Harbor habitat.
- Drum Island, Charleston Harbor
- Oyster bed restoration
- 2016
Tidal Marsh Cleanup - Charleston Harbor Resort
Conducted a tidal marsh coastal cleanup on January 23, 2016 at the Charleston Harbor Resort, removing accumulated debris from the marsh edge.
- Charleston Harbor Resort
- January 23, 2016
- Tidal marsh cleanup
2015
Back to topLighthouse Island, Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge
Cleaned Lighthouse Island within the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge — one of the most ecologically critical and remote barrier islands on the East Coast, accessible only by boat.
- Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
- Lighthouse Island, SC
- Federal wildlife refuge
- 2015
Cedar Island - After the Flood 2015
Returned to Cedar Island after major flooding to remove storm-deposited debris and assess damage to the coastal habitat.
- Cedar Island, SC
- Post-flood debris removal
- 2015
Drum Island near Ravenel Bridge
Cleaned Drum Island near the iconic Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, removing debris from the shoreline and marsh areas of this small island in Charleston Harbor.
- Drum Island, Charleston Harbor
- Ravenel Bridge area
- 2015
Tidal Marsh Bottle Cleanup - 2nd Visit
Returned for a second visit to remove additional bottles and debris from the tidal marsh, following up on the initial bottle cleanup to ensure thorough restoration.
- Tidal marsh
- Bottle debris removal
- Follow-up mission
- 2015
Pritchard Island
Cleaned Pritchard Island, removing large quantities of foam debris and balloons — materials that are particularly deadly to sea turtles and marine mammals.
- Pritchard Island, SC
- Foam and balloon debris
- Sea turtle habitat
- 2015
Morris Island
Removed debris and marine trash from Morris Island — the historic site of the Civil War Battle of Fort Wagner and a critical shorebird nesting area at the mouth of Charleston Harbor.
- Morris Island, Charleston, SC
- Historic barrier island
- Shorebird habitat
- 2015
2014
Back to topTidal Marsh Bottle Cleanup
Conducted a focused cleanup targeting bottle debris in the tidal marsh — removing thousands of bottles that had accumulated in the marsh grass and posed a hazard to wildlife.
- Tidal marsh
- Bottle debris removal
- Wildlife hazard mitigation
- 2014
Drum Island - Eastern Coastline
Cleaned the eastern coastline of Drum Island, removing debris that had washed ashore and accumulated along the marsh edge facing the Cooper River.
- Drum Island East, SC
- Shoreline cleanup
- 2014
Cedar Island - Crab Trap Removal
Removed orphan crab traps from Cedar Island — abandoned traps that continue to catch and kill marine life long after they are lost. A critical ghost fishing mitigation effort.
- Cedar Island, SC
- Orphan crab traps
- Ghost fishing mitigation
- 2014
Daniel Island - Returned to Pristine State
Restored Daniel Island's tidal marsh and shoreline to pristine condition, removing accumulated debris and restoring the natural habitat.
- Daniel Island, SC
- Full restoration
- 2014
Drum Island - Western Coastline
Cleaned the western coastline of Drum Island, completing a comprehensive cleanup of both the eastern and western shores of this Charleston Harbor island.
- Drum Island West, SC
- Shoreline cleanup
- 2014
2013
Back to topHurricane Sandy Impact at Gateway National Park
Extended operations to Gateway National Recreation Area following Hurricane Sandy, assisting with coastal debris removal in the aftermath of the devastating storm. Documented the Sandy impact areas and conducted cleanup operations at multiple sites including Sandy Hook, NJ.
- Gateway National Park, NJ
- Hurricane Sandy response
- Federal park partnership
- 2013
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