AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is pleased to announce a partnership between the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia's Office for the removal of an abandoned, derelict sailboat, a 24-foot fiberglass recreational vessel.
"As someone who called the Texas coast my home for over a decade, the preservation of our coastal waters has been a top priority of mine since day one at the GLO. Responsibly disposing of unwanted vessels is vital to the safety and cleanliness of Texas waters as well as our unique marine wildlife, " said Commissioner Buckingham. "I want to thank Commissioner Adrian Garcia's office for working to ensure the waters in Harris County are free of these navigational, environmental and safety hazards. We appreciate your collaboration and look forward to continuing this work together."
Commissioner Buckingham stands with Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia and Russell Levigne,
the CEO of Dead Boats Society, after the removal of an abandoned, derelict vessel.
Commissioner Buckingham and Commissioner Garcia were joined at the press conference by Captain David Jasper with the Harris County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit and Russell Lavigne, the CEO and Director of Dead Boats Society, a community organization, at Clear Lake Park for the removal of the sailboat. Two additional boats are in the process of being removed and destroyed.
"Abandoned boats are more than an eyesore. They are dangerous and an environmental hazard. Bay Area residents and people who just enjoy going out on the water have all been asking for action on these vessels, and today their wait is over," said County Commissioner Garcia. "I want to thank Commissioner Buckingham and the Texas General Land Office for stepping up as a partner on this important safety measure as well as The Dead Boats Society who have been longtime concerned volunteers only wanting safer waterways for everyone. The work does not happen without their commitment, and this is exactly what happens when local and state governments work together for the people we serve.”
The event was made possible through a General Land Office (GLO) Partnership Agreement. The GLO's Oil Spill & Response Division, through this Agreement and others like it, has developed a process to remove derelict vessels by sharing the GLO’s administrative authority and allowing removal and disposal costs to be assumed by a willing external partner, including local governments or non-profits.
About the GLO's Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP)
As part of GLO’s multiple strategies to rid coastal areas of derelict and unwanted watercraft, the GLO hosts Vessel Turn-In Programs throughout spring and fall. Starting in 2015, VTIPs provide owners with a free and voluntary method to dispose of their vessels and boats. GLO sponsors the removal of all fuel, oil, and batteries and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) verifies ownership and clears the vessels for disposal.
Removing abandoned vessels from coastal waters comes at a considerable expense— around $1,000 per foot. 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.
To date, VTIP has hosted 52 events in various coastal communities. This essential program has removed 1,996 inoperable boats measuring 32,634 linear feet from coastal areas and recovered 4,300 gallons of pollution.
About the GLO's Oil Spill Prevention and Response Division
As millions of barrels of oil pass through ports, bays, and beaches along the Texas Gulf, the Texas General Land Office Oil Spill Prevention and Response team stands on call 24/7, ensuring oil stays out of Texas coastal waters.
The Oil Spill Division operates under three key prevention and response initiatives:
- Educate: The GLO promotes public education to keep Gulf waters clean, highlighting the risks of small spills.
- Prevent: The GLO works with ports and refineries to prevent spills, ensuring safety plans and removing hazards.
- Respond: When an oil spill occurs, GLO teams mitigate spills quickly, equipped with advanced tools and real-time tracking systems.
To learn more about the GLO's Oil Spill Prevention & Response Program, click the button below:
GLO's Oil Spill Prevention and Response Division
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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.