ORANGE, Texas —
If you've got an old boat you need to get rid of, don't just abandon it somewhere, turn it in to the Texas General Land Office.
The Texas General Land Office will soon be holding its annual Vessel Turn-In Program in several counties around the state including Orange County.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The above video aired in May 2023 after last year's event.)
The 2024 event in Orange County event is coming up on April 6, 9, 11 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. according to a news release from the Texas GLO.
You can bring your "derelict or inoperable" boat to the Orange County Collection Station at 11265 FM 1442.
Orange County will be transporting the boats for disposal and the GLO will take care of removing all fuel, oil and batteries from the vessels.
To be eligible...
- Vessels must be clear of all waste, debris and trash before drop-off
- Verification of ownership of vessels, along with a Release of Interest and Ownership, must be provided to the VTIP agency
- The title of each vessel must be free of any loan balances, liens and/or taxes
- Owners must transport their own vessels to the turn-in site
- Vessels exceeding the maximum length of 26 feet may be eligible for disposal on a case-by-case basis
- Call the GLO at (409) 727-7481 if you need to dispose of a boat longer than 26 feet
The turn-in program began in 2015 and since then 39 events have been held several Texas coastal counties bringing in a total of 1,562 "derelict and inoperable boats," according to the GLO.
When you measure them all in feet that's 25,394 linear feet of boats. That's the length of just over 70 football fields!
In April 2023 in Orange County 113 boats, or vessels, totaling 1,173 linear feet were turned in and 143 gallons of fuel was recovered, according to the GLO
In Jefferson County in May 2022 nine boats, totaling 156 linear feet were turned in and 40 gallons of fuel was recovered.
According to the GLO website it's actually against the law in Texas to leave, abandon or maintain a wrecked, derelict, or substantially dismantled boat in coastal waters or on public or even private land if 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 the environment;
- A navigation hazard.