Derelict vessel map
A public map of derelict and abandoned boats in California. It opens on the Bay Area and is designed to be read on a phone.
- Status
- Alpha (preview)
- Made with
- Python, Leaflet, GeoJSON
- Data
- BoatUS MyCoast reports
- Audience
- The public
- Design reference
- U.S. National Design Studio, SBB and ÖBB
What it does
The map plots reported derelict vessels and opens on the Bay Area, with a data view that lists the same reports. The first import covered ten California reports across the Bay Area and the Delta.
The goal is all of California. The current data stops at the Bay Area and the Delta, with nothing yet for Southern California.
How it’s built
A Python script turns a CSV export into GeoJSON and keeps only an allow-list of fields: report ID, date, place and a link back to the source. Reporter names, vessel names, registration numbers, photos and street addresses are dropped, because some of these boats are people’s homes.
A list of report IDs can be excluded by hand, each with a comment explaining why. That is how test submissions and duplicates stay out. Tests check that private text never reaches the output. The site itself is static and built on Leaflet.
Preview only
The source data does not have confirmed reuse terms yet, so this map is a preview. It may change or be taken down once those are settled with the data owner.