Vessel Turn-In Program Wraps Up in Port Isabel and South Padre Island

Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced the results of the Port Isabel and South Padre Island (SPI) Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) that took place on January 18-20, 2024. During this three-day turn-in event, 11 vessels were relinquished, totaling 212 linear feet, with 330 gallons of fuel recovered.

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) partnered with the City of Port Isabel, City of South Padre Island (SPI), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), and the Port Isabel Navigation District to provide Port Isabel and SPI residents with this free event to dispose of inoperable vessels. 

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.

Since it began in 2015, VTIP has hosted 37 events in various coastal communities— in total, 1,453 derelict and inoperable boats measuring 23,557 linear feet have been removed from coastal areas through these essential programs.