AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is pleased to announce that the Texas General Land Office (GLO) Oil Spill division, in collaboration with the GLO Coastal Resources division, closed out a project to remove another five derelict vessels from Texas coastal waters. The funding for the project came from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cycle 28 Texas Coastal Management Program (CMP). CMP awards approximately $2.2 million annually in grants to support natural habitat and wildlife protection efforts.
“It is an honor to continue GLO’s mission to keep the Texas coast clean by ensuring derelict vessels are disposed of safely,” said Commissioner Buckingham. “Removing derelict vessels not only keeps the Texas coast cleaner but also promotes trade and commerce that is vital to our state. The removal of these vessels by the Oil Spill program, with support from the GLO's Coastal Resources division, shows a commitment to a better future for coastal communities, habitats, and marine environments. I thank them for their hard work and their dedication to keeping Texas waters safe for everyone."
Doctors Orders Too is loaded on a trailer after being removed from the water in Nueces County
One of the boats, the Doctors Orders Too, attracted a crowd as the sunken vessel had become an unlikely mascot for the Brewster Street Icehouse at Laguna Madre in Nueces County. The vessel joins boats that were removed from Galveston, Chambers and Matagorda Counties under the CMP program.
Vessels removed from Texas coastal waters include:
- Laguna Madre 32’ Recreational Vessel in Nueces County
- Gulf Intracoastal Waterway 45’ Fishing Vessel in Matagorda County
- Gulf Intracoastal Waterway 17’ Recreational Vessel in Galveston County
- Offatts Bayou 24’ Recreational Vessel in Galveston County
- Cedar Bayou 19’ Recreational Vessel in Chambers County
The removal of these vessels comes after the GLO, in coordination with the Gulf of America Alliance (GOAA), supported the removal of five abandoned vessels from South Galveston County totaling approximately 21,040 pounds of debris.
The Oil Spill division will initiate another vessel removal project scheduled for late September. Eleven vessels located on state-owned submerged land are planned for disposal from Orange, Chambers, Galveston, Matagorda, Nueces, Willacy and Cameron counties, weather and safety conditions permitting.
About the Derelict Vessel Program at the GLO
The Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act of 1991 (OSPRA) authorizes the GLO to remove and dispose of abandoned and derelict vessels in Texas coastal waters. Texas law states a person may not leave, abandon or maintain a vessel in or on coastal waters, on public or private lands, including public and private docks, if the vessel is in a wrecked, derelict or substantially dismantled condition and the vessel is found to be:
- Involved in an actual or threatened discharge of oil;
- A threat to public health, safety or welfare;
- A threat to the environment;
- A navigation hazard.
Although the GLO is authorized to remove abandoned vessels, the agency is not required under law to do so. Sec. 40.108 (f) Natural Resources Code states there is not a duty imposed on the state to remove or dispose of a vessel or structure or to warn of hazardous conditions on state land.
The GLO does not receive dedicated funding to remove and dispose of derelict vessels. Depending on the size, type and placement of vessel, removal and disposal costs can be more than $1,500 a linear foot. The Oil Spill program follows mandated legal procedures for vessel removals, working cooperatively with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to determine ownership and provide notification of abandoned vessels.
Click the button below to learn more about the Derelict Vessel Program at the GLO:
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Dr. Dawn Buckingham made history in 2022, winning a statewide election to become Texas' first female Land Commissioner. As Land Commissioner, Dr. Dawn Buckingham is committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, serving Texas Veterans, and securing the border to keep our communities safe.