May 29, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced the Texas General Land Office (GLO), Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, Galveston County Office of Emergency Management, U.S. Coast Guard, and the vessel owner of the Buccaneer saw the successful release of a trapped 56’ shrimp boat from its grounding place on Crystal Beach, Bolivar Peninsula, where this vessel ran aground May 15. No injuries were reported when the incident occurred.
“The community can now access the Crystal Beach area, and the vessel owner can get back to supporting his family in this valuable Texas industry,” said Buckingham. “The GLO is dedicated to ensuring our waterways and coastal ecosystems that support commercial and recreational fishing, as well as tourism, are safe and free of environmental hazards.”
Vessel removal efforts were led by salvage company Sparks Heavy Rescue and Shoreline Construction, with assistance from local, state, and federal partners.