Division of Boating and Waterways Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) FY25

The Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) Grant Program, administered by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW), is designed to remove, reduce, and prevent abandoned recreational vessels from entering California's waterways. The program provides annual grants to qualified local public agencies statewide that have jurisdiction over navigable waterways. The SAVE program evolved from the Abandoned Watercraft Abatement Fund (AWAF), established in 1998, and the Vessel Turn-In Program, introduced in 2010. Since its inception, the program has provided millions of dollars in funding and has successfully removed thousands of abandoned vessels. Eligible applicants include local government agencies responsible for the oversight of navigable waterways in California. Private businesses are not eligible to apply directly; however, they may collaborate with participating local public agencies to address abandoned vessels on private property, surrender vessels with clear title, or remove navigational hazards. Agencies applying for funding must demonstrate a need for vessel removal services based on assessment criteria established by DBW. The SAVE grant application window for the 2025-2026 cycle is open from March 14, 2025, through April 30, 2025, at 5:00 PM PST. A virtual workshop will be held on March 26, 2025, from 1:00 to 1:45 PM to provide an overview of the application process and scoring criteria. Interested participants must RSVP by March 21, 2025, by emailing Gina Disney at gina.disney@parks.ca.gov. Applications must be submitted through the Online Grant Application (OLGA) system, and a webinar is available to guide first-time users through the application process. The maximum award per agency is capped at 10% of the total annual SAVE budget, which is typically $2.75 million. Grant recipients are required to provide a 10% match, which must be expended before reimbursement. This match can be met through cash contributions or in-kind contributions, such as personnel hours or additional expenses beyond the grant amount. Reimbursement requests must be submitted no later than 45 days after the end of the grant period. SAVE grant funds cover reimbursable expenses related to the abatement, removal, storage, and disposal of abandoned vessels and other navigational hazards. For surrendered vessels, expenses such as towing, storage, hazardous material removal, demolition, and disposal are also eligible for reimbursement. However, commercial vessels are not covered under this program. Agencies that demonstrate efficient management of previous SAVE grants may receive additional scoring points when applying for new funding. The SAVE grant agreements have a two-year term beginning October 1 and ending September 30. Award notices are typically issued by September 1, after which recipients must submit a signed grant agreement along with a City Council or Board of Supervisors resolution acknowledging the authority to accept the grant. Once approved, agencies may begin work on October 1 or upon receiving the fully executed agreement. For further information, applicants are encouraged to review the SAVE Grant Application Scoring Rubric, attend the annual virtual meeting for SAVE agencies, and communicate regularly with DBW. Additional questions can be directed to Gina Disney at gina.disney@parks.ca.gov.