Workboat Graveyard, Smith Island

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Smith Island lies on the border of Maryland and Virginia, within the Chesapeake Bay. At one time it was a thriving community of watermen and their families. Oysters and crabs were pulled from the Chesapeake Bay to the degree where many were able to make their living on the water, but with the decline of these creatures due to pollution, this is no longer the case. Today it is rare to see anyone on the island between the age of 20 and 50, and one can only wonder how long it will be before the island is completely deserted.

This is an infrared image of work boats that have seen the end of their useful lives, and left to be returned to the earth.