HARRIS COUNTY — Today, Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced that the Texas General Land Office (GLO) is partnering with Harris County Precinct Two, Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to provide the residents of Harris County with a free event to dispose of inoperable vessels. The Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) will take place May 30 to June 3 from 8 am to 4 pm.

During the five-day turn-in event, residents may bring their derelict or inoperable boats to the designated drop-off location to be verified by the GLO and TPWD for eligibility. Boats must be clear of all waste, debris, and trash. Verification of ownership along with a Release of Interest and Ownership must be provided to the VTIP agency, and the title must be free of any loan balances, liens, and/or taxes. Vessels exceeding the maximum length of 26-feet may be eligible for disposal with prior approval. Residents can call (713) 274-2222 for more information. 

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.

Vessel Turn-In Program Dates and Hours:
May 30 - June 3
8 am to 4 pm

Drop-off Location:
Clear Lake Park Community Center Parking Lot
5002 NASA Road 1
Seabrook, TX   77586
(713) 274-2222

Removing abandoned vessels from coastal waters comes at a considerable expense—around $200-300 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 33 events in various coastal communities— in total, 1,267 derelict and inoperable boats measuring 21,058 linear feet have been removed from coastal areas through these essential programs.
 

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