AUSTIN— Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., announced the results of the Galveston County Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP). During the free derelict vessel turn-in event on January 27-29, 2025, Galveston County residents relinquished an impressive 65 boats totaling over 1,149 linear feet and 355 gallons of fuel recovered.
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) partnered with Galveston County, the Galveston County Sheriff's Office, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to provide the residents of Galveston County with this free event to dispose of inoperable vessels.
Relinquished derelict boats at the Galveston County Vessel-Turn-In Program.
VTIP provides owners with a free and voluntary method to dispose of their vessels and boats. The GLO sponsors the removal of all fuel, oil, and batteries and TPWD verifies ownership and clears the vessels for disposal.
Removing abandoned vessels from coastal waters comes at a considerable expense— around $500 per foot. The GLO and its partners encourage communities to participate in VTIPs to avoid these steep costs and to keep their boats from becoming environmental or safety hazards.
A derelict boat relinquished during the Galveston County Vessel-Turn-In Program
Since it began in 2015, VTIP has hosted 42 events in various coastal communities— in total, 1,651 derelict and inoperable boats measuring 26,947 linear feet have been removed from coastal areas through these essential programs.
RELATED: Commissioner Buckingham Announces Results of Galveston County Vessel Turn-In Program
# # #
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., brings a lifetime of experience to the Texas General Land Office (GLO). In 2016, she became the first Republican elected to the Texas State Senate from Travis County and the first woman to represent Texas Senate District 24. She made history again in 2022, winning a statewide election to become Texas' first female Land Commissioner.