Frequently Asked
Questions

We offer 8 professional marine services across all of Florida: Boat Recovery & Salvage, Marine Salvage & Wreck Removal, Abandoned Boat Removal, Storm-Damaged Boat Removal, Boat Disposal & Junk Removal, Overland Boat Transport, Insurance Claim Assistance, and Trailer Recovery & Transport.

We are fully insured on every job we perform. All operations are conducted professionally and in compliance with Florida regulations. Our insurance coverage protects your property and our crew on every single job.

No. We are strictly a marine service company. We do not purchase vessels — salvaged or otherwise. All services are billed directly to the client. If you want to sell a boat, contact a licensed boat dealer.

No. We do not offer on-water towing services. We specialize in boat removal, recovery, salvage, disposal, and overland transport. For on-water towing, contact Sea Tow at 1-800-4-SEATOW or BoatUS at 1-800-888-4869.

No. We do not sell parts, components, or equipment from salvaged vessels. All recovered materials are eco-compliantly recycled or disposed of per Florida state environmental regulations.

We serve all 67 Florida counties — from Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys in the south to Escambia and Pensacola in the northwest Panhandle. From the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic, no location in Florida is out of reach.

Pricing depends on vessel size, location, accessibility, and job complexity. Small junk boat disposal may start around $400–$800. Sunken vessel recovery can range from $1,500–$10,000+ depending on depth and conditions. We always provide a free written quote before any work begins — no surprises.

Yes. Our quotes are 100% free and no-obligation. We provide a written quote before any work begins. You never pay anything until you've agreed to the price and signed the service agreement.

Phone and text calls are typically returned within 1 hour during business hours. Emergency situations are answered immediately 24/7. Online form submissions receive a response within 2 hours. Kenneth reviews every inquiry personally.

The main factors are: vessel size and type, location and accessibility (canal access, remote waterways), vessel condition (floating, sunken, damaged), environmental considerations, and equipment required. We are always transparent about what factors the price.

No charge for cancellations before our crew has been dispatched. Once equipment has been mobilized and our team is en route or on site, a mobilization fee may apply. This will be clearly outlined in your service agreement upfront.

Yes — for emergency situations we can often quote and deploy the same day. For standard jobs, we typically quote within hours and schedule within 1–3 business days depending on your location and job complexity.

Florida has specific laws governing derelict vessel removal. You generally cannot simply move an abandoned boat without following proper documentation and notification procedures. We handle the full process — documentation, permits, removal, and disposal — ensuring you stay legally compliant and avoid fines.

Under Florida Statute 823.11, a derelict vessel is any vessel left in a wrecked, junked, or substantially dismantled condition on public waters, or abandoned without proper authority. Derelict vessels are a violation of state law and property owners can face significant fines if not addressed.

Most abandoned boat removals are completed in one day. The timeline depends on vessel size, location accessibility, and whether permits are required. We handle all permitting, so you don't have to wait on paperwork.

Yes. Property owners and marina operators can face significant fines from the county and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for derelict vessels on their property or in adjacent waterways. We help you avoid fines by handling the process correctly.

Yes. We work regularly with marina operators throughout Florida to remove abandoned and derelict vessels. We provide full documentation that supports county compliance and protects marinas from fines and liability.

Depending on the vessel's condition, it may be transported to a facility for eco-compliant disposal, recycled for usable materials where possible, or handled per any special circumstances outlined in your service agreement. We provide disposal documentation on completion.

First, ensure everyone is safely out of the water. Call the Coast Guard or FWC if required. Document the situation with photos if safe to do so. Then call us at (786) 981-4777. Don't attempt to raise the boat yourself — improper recovery can cause additional damage and environmental contamination.

Yes. We recover fully submerged vessels using airbag flotation systems, heavy-duty lifting equipment, and experienced operators. We assess depth, substrate, and structural integrity before raising to ensure the safest possible recovery.

This depends on the vessel's material, depth, and time in water. Fiberglass boats can typically be recovered even after months submerged. Wooden vessels deteriorate faster. The sooner you act, the better — a sunken boat also creates environmental contamination liability that grows over time.

Yes. A sunken boat can leak fuel, oil, battery acid, and other contaminants into Florida's waterways. This can trigger environmental violations and cleanup costs in addition to removal costs. Acting quickly protects you legally and protects Florida's waterways.

Yes. We recover vessels from canals, bays, rivers, coastal waters, and offshore locations throughout Florida. Offshore and deep-water recoveries require more complex operations and equipment but are well within our capability.

Many comprehensive marine insurance policies cover salvage costs for accidental sinking. We work with insurance companies when applicable and provide full documentation and photos to support your claim. Check your policy or contact your insurer — we can help with the documentation side.

We mobilize as soon as safe access is possible following storm events — typically within 24–48 hours of the storm passing. Emergency situations get priority dispatch. We operate 24/7 and respond as fast as weather and road conditions allow.

Call us at (786) 981-4777. We handle vessel removal from neighboring properties, roads, yards, and other displaced locations. We also help with insurance documentation for storm displacement situations. Act quickly to avoid disputes with neighbors.

Yes. When applicable, we work directly with your insurance company to provide the documentation, photos, and reports needed to support your claim. We've worked with numerous Florida insurers on storm and marine salvage claims.

Yes. The aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Lee County is still being addressed. We continue to assist homeowners, marinas, and municipalities with Ian-damaged vessel removal and documentation. Call us for a current assessment.

That determination is up to your marine surveyor and insurance adjuster — not us. Our role is to safely remove and document the vessel. We provide condition photos and written reports that support whatever decision is made about repair versus total loss.

We offer pre-hurricane overland transport to move your boat to safe dry storage before a storm hits. Call early — demand surges significantly before hurricane landfalls. We also recommend reviewing your marina's hurricane preparation policy and your insurance coverage.

You have several options: donate it (if it's in good condition), sell it (if it has value), or have it professionally disposed of. If the boat is old, damaged, or worthless, professional disposal is often the only realistic option. We provide legal, eco-compliant disposal across all of Florida.

No. Abandoned vessels on your property or marina can result in county fines and environmental violations. In Florida, you have a legal obligation to properly dispose of vessels. Contact us for a free disposal quote before you end up with a legal problem.

Vessels are transported to licensed disposal facilities. Materials are separated — metals are recycled, fiberglass is processed through eco-compliant disposal channels, and hazardous materials (fuel, oil, batteries) are handled per Florida environmental regulations. We provide documentation on completion.

Fiberglass hull disposal costs vary based on vessel size and location. We provide a free quote for every disposal job. Many clients are surprised to find disposal is more affordable than they expected — especially compared to the ongoing cost of liability from an abandoned vessel.

Yes. We pick up unwanted vessels from dry storage facilities, boatyards, driveways, private property, and any other accessible location throughout Florida.

Having the title makes the process smoother but is not always required, especially for boats that are total losses, very old, or have lost documentation. We handle the paperwork and can advise on your specific situation during the quote process.

Yes. We transport vessels overland anywhere in Florida — from the Florida Keys to the Panhandle. This includes marina-to-marina hauls, dock-to-storage transport, delivery to repair yards, and pre-hurricane relocation.

We transport all vessel sizes from small personal watercraft to large yachts. We have specialized trailers and heavy transport equipment for larger vessels. Contact us with your vessel's length, beam, and weight for a specific transport quote.

No. Overland transport means your boat is loaded onto a trailer and hauled by a truck on land. On-water towing (moving a boat through the water using another vessel) is a different service that we do not provide. For on-water towing contact Sea Tow or BoatUS.

Yes — and we strongly encourage this. Call us as early as possible before a storm is forecast to land. We load your vessel onto a trailer and transport it to a safe inland dry storage facility. Demand for this service surges dramatically as hurricanes approach.

Yes. We also handle trailer recovery and transport as a standalone service — damaged, stuck, or abandoned trailers throughout Florida.

Standard transport jobs should be scheduled 2–5 business days in advance. Emergency situations and hurricane prep transport are handled as fast as possible. Contact us and we will do our best to accommodate your timeline.

Yes, when applicable. We coordinate with your insurer and provide full documentation — photos, written reports, vessel condition assessments, and disposal records — to support your marine insurance claim. We've worked with numerous Florida marine insurers.

We provide: detailed photographs before, during, and after removal; a written job report describing the vessel's condition; disposal documentation or transport records; and any other documentation your insurer requests. This typically covers what's needed for storm damage, sinking, and total loss claims.

Many comprehensive marine insurance policies include salvage and removal coverage. Coverage varies significantly between policies, so check your specific policy or contact your insurer. We can provide a quote that you can submit to your insurer for pre-approval if needed.

Yes. We work within whatever framework your insurer requires. Contact us with your insurer's requirements and we will coordinate accordingly.

Yes. Total loss situations are common in our work — especially post-hurricane. We remove the vessel, provide all documentation needed for your total loss claim, and handle eco-compliant disposal. We've managed hundreds of total loss situations across Florida.

We provide standard industry documentation that is accepted by most major marine insurers. If your insurer has specific requirements, let us know during the quote process and we will accommodate them where possible.