The Texas General Land Office (GLO) runs the Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP). It's an event-based program that lets owners give up unwanted boats at no charge. If your boat fits the rules and there's an event you can get to, use it. It's free.
The GLO pays to remove the fuel, oil and batteries, and Texas Parks and Wildlife verifies ownership and clears the boats for disposal. Events are run with coastal counties and cities. So far they have been held in Galveston, Brazoria, Calhoun, Aransas, Matagorda, Orange, Harris, Chambers, Jefferson and San Patricio counties, and in the cities of Corpus Christi, Galveston, Port Isabel and Ingleside.
Quick check: does your boat qualify?
Answer each question yes or no. These come from the GLO's own event notices.
- Do you own the boat, and can you prove it? Texas Parks and Wildlife verifies ownership at the event, and owners have been asked to sign a Release of Interest and Ownership.
- Is it paid off? The boat must be free of loan balances. A GLO notice for a Harris County event says the title must be free of any loan balances, liens and taxes.
- Is it about 26 feet or shorter? The Harris County notice says a maximum of 26 feet; the Galveston County notice says less than 26 feet. Check the rules for the event you plan to use. The notices say longer boats may be considered case by case or with prior approval.
- Can you clean it out? The boat must be cleared of trash, waste and debris.
- Can you get it to the drop-off site? Owners bring their boats to the drop-off site themselves.
- Is there an event you can get to, and can you wait for it? Events are scheduled with coastal counties and cities, not on demand.
If every answer is yes, the program may fit. Check the event notice for residency, registration and approval rules, then use it.
If you qualify: how to find the next event
Check the GLO's events page for the next scheduled event. For an overview of how the program works, see the GLO's Vessel Turn-In Program page. Some events have asked owners to register or pre-qualify by phone first. Size limits have differed between events, so read the notice for the one you plan to use.
Have your proof of ownership ready, and clean the boat out before drop-off day.
Why the state won't just come and take it
The GLO is authorized to remove abandoned and derelict boats from Texas coastal waters, but state law says it is not required to, and it does not receive dedicated funding for the work. Community Impact reported in February 2026 that even after the GLO decides a boat is abandoned, it has to wait for Texas Parks and Wildlife to issue a certificate before the boat can be removed, a process that can take months (Community Impact, February 2026).
If you don't qualify, or can't wait
The free program usually doesn't fit when:
- the boat still has a loan, a lien or unpaid taxes on it,
- you can't show you own it (for example, someone left it on your property; see a boat left on your property),
- it's over the event's size limit,
- there's no event you can get to, or you can't wait for one, or
- you can't move the boat to the drop-off site yourself, for example because it's sunk, on blocks or on a trailer that won't roll.
Then a private removal may be the practical route. If the boat has a lien, we need a lender release or proof it's paid off before we can take it. Missing proof of ownership can also affect whether we can take a boat, so tell us up front. Send photos and we'll give you a firm price. You get a receipt and a disposal record after every job.
What boat removal costs in Texas
| Boat | Price |
|---|---|
| Boats under 20 ft | $550 to $850 |
| Boats 20 ft to 34 ft | From about $1,000, up to $3,500 |
| 35 ft | $4,500 to $5,500 |
| Over 35 ft | Call for a custom quote |
- Sunk, partly sunk or in-water boats start at the range above. Firm price after photos.
- Same price range anywhere in Texas. No travel fee.
Rough range. We confirm a firm price from your photos before we schedule anything.
What moves a price up or down →This is general information, not legal advice. For your situation, talk to a Texas attorney.
Sources
- Texas GLO: Vessel Operations Information (Vessel Turn-In Program)
- Texas GLO: Events
- Texas GLO: Brazoria County Vessel Turn-In Program event notice
- Texas GLO: Derelict Vessel Turn-In Event, Harris County
- Texas GLO: Upcoming Vessel Turn-In Program in Galveston County
- Texas GLO: San Patricio County Vessel Turn-In Program results
- Community Impact: Sunken boats litter Clear Lake and bays (Feb. 17, 2026)