Highlights from the Texas Coast

Image

GLO Oil Spill Division Celebrates 50th Vessel Turn-In Program Event

If you’re in Orange County and have a boat that you’d like to say “goodbye” to, your golden opportunity arrives May 2, 5, 7, or 9 at the 50th Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) event in Orange.
VTIP provides boat owners an opportunity to voluntarily dispose of unwanted boats at no charge, ensuring that the boats are safely destroyed and don’t end up in Texas waterways.  The Texas General Land Office (TGLO) Oil Spill Division works with local governments, community organizations and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to coordinate VTIP events.

VTIP pools the resources that each entity can provide, including a drop-off location, heavy equipment for vessel destruction and space for disposal.  TPWD confirms that boat ownership and title work are up to date. The GLO ensures all oil and hazardous materials are removed from the vessel and assists with staffing and publicizing the VTIP event.
The initiative kicked off in 2015 in Galveston County.  Since then, 48 more VTIP events have taken place, resulting in more than
- 1,928 vessels relinquished
- 31,407 linear feet safely disposed (almost six miles!)
- 3,939 gallons of fuel/oil recovered
    
Many thanks to Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, Matagorda and Orange    Counties, as well as the Cities of Corpus Christi, Galveston, Ingleside, Port Isabel, South Padre Island, and VTIP partners at Harris County Precinct #2 for their support.
If you’re located in Orange County and would like to dispose of your boat for free, bring it to the Orange County Collection Station, 11265 FM 1442, Orange, TX  77632, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on May 2, 5, 7, or 9, 2026. Boats must be 26’ or less and free of debris. 
Please bring proof of ownership.Call 409-727-7481 or 409-332-9325 for more information.