Study Charts Over 13,000 U.S. Coastal Shipwrecks

New research identifies thousands of underwater vessels and hazardous navigational obstacles across U.S. coastal waters.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Natural Disasters

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting a broken iron ship hull rising from dark water, signifying maritime navigational hazards. — A new BoatBooker study has identified over 13,000 shipwrecks across U.S. coastal waters, classifying many as significant navigational hazards for modern vessels. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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A new BoatBooker study analyzing offshore navigational charts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration identifies more than 13,000 shipwrecks across U.S. coastal waters. Of those, over 2,300 vessels have hulls or masts that remain visible above the water's surface.

Why it matters

The cataloging of these underwater sites serves as a critical safety resource, as official charts classify many shipwrecks as hazards to navigation similar to submerged rocks or reefs.

Florida leads the nation with 2,302 charted wrecks, followed by New York with 1,510, while Texas ranks eighth with 823 vessels. Mississippi holds the highest concentration of wrecks classified as navigational hazards at 83 percent of its total count.

The players

BoatBooker

This organization specializes in maritime data and conducted the comprehensive study of charted shipwrecks.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

This federal agency manages environmental and maritime data, including the offshore navigational charts used in this analysis.

The details

Texas coastal waters contain 823 shipwrecks, with Galveston County hosting 132 of those vessels, representing 16 percent of the state's total. Notable underwater sites include the 210-foot USS Hatteras, which sank in 1863, and the SS V.A. Fogg, which sank in 1972 after an explosion killed 39 people.

The USS Hatteras sank in early 1863.
The SS V.A. Fogg was built in 1944.
The SS V.A. Fogg exploded and sank in February 1972.
Storms shifted the seafloor in early 2013.
BoatBooker released the study in October 2026.

Seasonal Patterns

The findings utilize data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's offshore navigational charts to map maritime risks. This study updates the historical record of seafloor obstacles that shift over time, such as during the significant seafloor changes observed in early 2013.

Boaters and maritime navigators should consult official nautical charts to identify active hazards in their local waters. Mariners should remain vigilant for uncharted obstructions, as environmental factors like storms can shift the position of historic wreckage over time.

The takeaway

Understanding the density of underwater obstacles is essential for safe navigation in coastal areas. Mariners are encouraged to prioritize updated navigational data to avoid potential hazards from legacy shipwrecks.