Jefferson County residents with unwanted boats will soon have a chance to offload them — free of charge.
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is encouraging locals to participate in the upcoming Jefferson County Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) scheduled for November 5-7, 2025. The three-day event will run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 5700 Jade Avenue in Port Arthur, where inoperable vessels can be surrendered for proper disposal.
“Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., encourages Jefferson County residents to bring their inoperable boats to be properly disposed of by the Texas General Land Office (GLO) in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Jefferson County,” a statement from the commissioner’s office noted.
Eligibility Requirements
Not just any boat can be dropped off, though. To qualify for the program, vessels must meet specific criteria. They need to be clear of all waste, debris, and trash before arrival. Owners must verify their ownership and provide a Release of Interest and Ownership document. Additionally, the title must be free of any loan balances, liens, or taxes.
Thinking of ditching that yacht? While there’s a 26-foot length limit, larger vessels may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, according to program guidelines.
The program provides a valuable service by removing potential environmental hazards from Texas waterways. The GLO sponsors the removal of all fuel, oil, and batteries from surrendered vessels, while TPWD handles ownership verification before clearing ships for disposal.
Cost Savings
The financial incentive for participation is substantial. Removing abandoned vessels from coastal waters typically costs around $1,000 per foot — a burden that often falls to taxpayers when boats are abandoned rather than properly disposed of.
Since its inception in 2015, VTIP has made remarkable progress in cleaning up Texas waters. The program has hosted 46 events across various coastal communities, resulting in the removal of 1,820 inoperable boats measuring a total of 29,547 linear feet. Even more impressive is the recovery of 3,678 gallons of fuel and oil that might otherwise have leaked into coastal ecosystems.
Leadership
The program falls under the leadership of Dr. Dawn Buckingham, who made history in 2022 when she became Texas’ first female Land Commissioner. Her office states that she “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.”
For Jefferson County boat owners, next November’s VTIP event represents not just an opportunity to clear out unwanted vessels, but a chance to participate in environmental stewardship without bearing the typically hefty cost of proper disposal.
