It sat there for years. A hulking, 120-foot mass of rusting steel and fading gray paint, the motor vessel Hazar—a former U.S. Navy torpedo retriever—became an unwanted landmark in Bohicket Creek. Locals on Johns Island and Wadmalaw Island watched it rot. They smelled the oil. They saw the sheen on the water. For a long time, it felt like nothing was going to happen.
Then everything changed in 2025.
The Bohicket Creek navy vessel removal wasn't just a simple towing job. It was a legal battle, an environmental rescue mission, and eventually, a strange sort of rebirth. If you've ever driven across the bridges around Charleston and wondered why that massive boat is finally gone, here is the full story.
The Boat That Wouldn't Leave
Basically, the Hazar was a 120-foot ex-Navy research and torpedo vessel. It ended up in private hands, but the owner, Mohamad Haisam Kodaimati (who also goes by Samuel), hit a wall of federal regulations. Back in 2021, the vessel was declared inoperable under federal maritime law because of improper documentation.
So it just sat. Grounded near a private dock.
The problem with a boat that size isn't just that it's an eyesore. It's a ticking time bomb. By late 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard realized the ship was actively leaking. They had to step in and suck out roughly 3,500 gallons of hazardous oil and oily water just to keep the creek from becoming a dead zone.
Honestly, the salt marshes in South Carolina are fragile. They are the nurseries for our shrimp, our redfish, and our crabs. Having a 120-foot metal carcass leaking fuel into that muck is a nightmare scenario for the ecosystem.
A Legal First for South Carolina
For a long time, South Carolina was kinda "the Wild West" when it came to abandoned boats. There wasn't a strong law to force owners to clean up their mess. That changed with Senate Bill 367, championed by Senator Chip Campsen.
The Hazar became the poster child for this new legislation.
- Kodaimati was arrested in July 2025.
- He was the first person ever charged under the state's new abandoned boat law.
- The charges? Two counts of abandoning a watercraft.
- The potential price tag? Fines reaching up to $43,400, plus the massive cost of the actual removal.
This was a warning shot. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) wanted everyone to know that if you leave a ship to rot in the marsh, you aren't just losing a boat—you're going to jail.
The Removal: August 19, 2025
The actual Bohicket Creek navy vessel removal happened on a Tuesday. SCDNR teamed up with Stevens Towing to finally pull the Hazar out of the mud. It was a massive operation. You had Coast Guard units from Charleston watching over the site while heavy equipment muscled the vessel off the bank.
Seeing that ship move after years of being stuck was a huge win for the Wadmalaw community.
Tom Mullikin, the director of SCDNR, was pretty blunt about it. He pointed out that these "Abandoned and Derelict Vessels" (ADVs) do more than just look ugly. They smother the marsh grass. They ruin the water quality. They're a hazard for other boaters who might hit them at night or during high tide when they're partially submerged.
Where is the Hazar now?
You might think the boat just went to a scrap yard to be cut into pieces. That’s what usually happens. But the Hazar got a second life—just not as a boat.
In December 2025, after months of intensive cleaning to remove every last drop of hydraulic fluid and lead paint, the vessel was towed 32 miles off the coast of Charleston. On a cold morning just before sunrise, crews intentionally sank it.
The Hazar is now a permanent part of South Carolina’s Marine Artificial Reef Program.
Instead of leaking oil into Bohicket Creek, it's now providing a home for sea bass, snapper, and grouper. It’s a weirdly poetic ending. The ship that was killing the marsh is now supporting life on the ocean floor.
Actionable Insights for Boat Owners
If you own a vessel in South Carolina, the rules have completely changed. The era of "leaving it for the next guy" is over. Here is what you need to know to stay out of the crosshairs of the SCDNR:
- Check Your Paperwork: The Hazar's downfall started with "improper documentation." If your registration isn't current, you are a target for federal and state enforcement.
- Move It or Lose It: Under the new law, if a vessel is deemed abandoned, the state can move it and bill you for every cent of the recovery. Those costs can easily hit six figures for larger boats.
- Report Abandoned Vessels: If you see a boat that looks like it's sinking or has been sitting in the marsh for weeks without moving, report it to the SCDNR through their official channels. Early intervention prevents 3,500-gallon oil leaks.
- The 14-Day Rule: If the state posts a notice on your boat, you generally have 14 days to provide a "bona fide plan of removal" before they take action.
The Bohicket Creek navy vessel removal proves that the state is finally serious about cleaning up the Lowcountry. The Hazar is gone, the marsh is healing, and the fish have a new playground 32 miles out. It took years of frustration, but the system finally worked.
If you're out on the water, keep your eyes open for other derelict boats. The more we clear out, the better our coastal waters will be for the next generation. Take care of your gear, respect the marsh, and let's keep the creeks clear.