Derelict vessel disposal event underway in Jefferson County

Hurricane season is on its way, and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) is currently conducting a program in Jefferson County to collect derelict boats that could cause severe property damage during storms or potentially leak hazardous chemicals into coastal residents’ yards or local waterways.

For the first time since it started, shares Program Director Craig Cook, the Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) initiated by the GLO in 2015 is benefiting Jefferson County, as it has other coastal counties where abandoned boats have littered beaches and lost titles have encumbered residents attempting to rid themselves of unsightly, and potentially dangerous, inoperable watercraft.

“In 2015, when Commissioner George P. Bush came on, we did a pilot Vessel Turn-In Program project in Galveston County. It was our first pilot project, and it worked really well,” said Cook. “After that, he wanted them all up and down the coast, and that’s exactly what we’ve done. This VTIP that we’re doing in Jefferson County will be the 27th we’ve done on the coast. We’ve collected upwards of 1,116 vessels since 2015.”

At one time, the GLO was investigating approximately 1,400 active cases involving reports of derelict vessels, Cook said, adding that the number has significantly decreased with the program’s growing success.

“We’re down to 48 vessels right now up and down our coast,” Cook estimated.

The VTIP offers local residents the opportunity to dispose of derelict vessels for free, with or without a boat title, Cook explains. VTIP is one of several tools the agency uses to rid coastal areas of unsightly and possibly dangerous pollution sources.

“One of the things that we found when we were dealing with people that were dumping boats is that, if they bought a boat and they didn’t change the title over, and then they sell it to somebody else, then down the line, nobody is able to get a title to it,” Cook described. “In the state of Texas, if you want to take a vehicle, an RV or a boat to a landfill, you have to have a title. So, we knew that there needed to be some kind of avenue for these people along our coast to be able to get rid of these untitled vessels rather than getting frustrated and illegally dumping them or leaving them in yards. If they’re really close to the coast, like a mile or two inland, and then a storm comes in, it doesn’t take a lot for the surge to take those vessels and throw them anywhere.”

County residents may turn in vessels up to 26-feet in length, and larger crafts are considered for disposal on a case-by-case basis, he added.

The program is a combined, cost-efficient initiative, Cook remarked, executed through the efforts of the GLO, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the coastal counties targeted for cleanup.

“The uniqueness of this program is that we work with different agencies and utilize the services that they have,” Cook detailed. “For example, Jefferson County is providing the equipment that it already has in service, and manpower. TPWD is using their game wardens to verify the vessels aren’t stolen or have liens on them. Then, the GLO is able to hire a contractor to remove the fuel from the vessels so they can go to a landfill.

“So, we all work together as a group, and we’re able to get this done a lot cheaper. Once these vessels actually hit the water, it can be anywhere from $250 to $500 a foot to get them removed. We’ve got this cost down to roughly around $12.55 a foot.”

The GLO was in Orange County in March conducting a VTIP detail. GLO Advanced Response Officer Ryan Lytle, who works in the agency’s Nederland office as part of the Oil Spill Prevention & Response team, says dozens of derelict vessels were collected and their pollutants properly disposed of during Orange County’s inaugural VTIP.

According to Lytle, “(The) final totals (were) 53 vessels – 47 vessels were turned in by citizens, six removed by Region 1 staff – and nine trailers. Total pollution removed: 320 gallons of oil/gas/water mix, nine batteries and 13 fire extinguishers.”

The Orange County event’s success inspired Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick to invite the GLO to conduct a VTIP in his coastal county.

“We are grateful for the cooperation of both Orange County Judge John Gothia and Jefferson County Judge Branick and look forward to a successful VTIP event in Jefferson County.   The GLO hopes to continue offering VTIP events in both counties on an annual basis,” Cook shared.

The Jefferson County VTIP event is underway and runs from May 11-14. Residents who wish to turn in derelict vessels should bring them to 4720 Parker Drive, in Beaumont, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. while the VTIP is ongoing.

“It really does make a difference,” Cook asserted, encouraging county residents to drop off their inoperable boats during the event. “It has been helpful. It’s definitely cleaned up the coast, and we’ve definitely done it in the most economical way that we can. It’s a good program, and we’re hoping to keep it going.”

About VTIP

The Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act (OSPRA) authorizes the GLO to remove and dispose of abandoned and derelict vessels in Texas coastal waters. The GLO’s Oil Spill program leads the VTIP. Establishing partnerships with coastal counties, cities, state agencies and oil spill cleanup operators, VTIP creates opportunities for boat owners to relinquish derelict vessels at no cost to the owner.

For more information, contact the area GLO office between 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday at (409) 727-7481.