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Oregon’s Abandoned Boats: A Growing Crisis on Our Rivers

Beneath the peeling paint and rusted decks of derelict boats, there's a deeper human story.

10/02/2025

Oregon Field Guide

Oregon’s Abandoned Boats: A Growing Crisis on Our Rivers

Clip: Season 37 Episode 1 | 10m 15sVideo has Closed Captions

Beneath the peeling paint and rusted decks of derelict boats, there's a deeper human story.

Oregon’s waterways face a crisis as abandoned and derelict boats pile up. Left behind by owners unable to cover costs, many become floating hazards or precarious shelters for people with nowhere else to go. The result is a collision of housing insecurity and public safety, with removal costs that can exceed $1 million for a single vessel.

10/02/2025

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Oregon Field Guide is a local public television program presented by OPB

Oregon Donkey Sanctuary

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: S37 Ep1 | 8m 55s | The Oregon Donkey Sanctuary is home to abandoned and abused donkeys and a refuge for humans (8m 55s)

Profile of Ed Jahn

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: S37 Ep1 | 6m 27s | After 25 years of illuminating Oregon’s landscapes with OPB, Ed Jahn passes the headlamp. (6m 27s)

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