Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced the successful removal of ACTA, a 51-foot fiberglass recreational vessel that was abandoned in Offatts Bayou in Galveston County as a result of Hurricane Beryl, according to a news release from the Texas General Land Office (GLO).
The agency said it had been tracking the ACTA since 2024 and that the removal was supported by the Gulf of America Alliance (GOAA). The vessel was taken apart piece by piece, lifted from the shoreline onto a barge and hauled off to be destroyed, the GLO said. The release included photos of the vessel being prepared for removal from Galveston on Oct. 14.
“As a former resident of Galveston Island for more than a decade, protecting and preserving our coastal waters has long been a priority of mine. Safely removing abandoned vessels is critical to the GLO’s mission to protect marine life, coastal communities, and those who enjoy our waterways from hazards such as leaking fuel, toxic chemicals, and navigational risks,” Buckingham said. “I am thrilled that the ACTA yacht has been safely removed from Offatts Bayou through our partnership with the Gulf of America Alliance. I look forward to building on this success and continuing our work together to deliver meaningful wins for the Texas coast and the people and wildlife that call it home.”
Laura Bowie, executive director of the Gulf of America Alliance, also commented in the release.
“We are proud to support this work in coordination with our Texas partners,” Bowie said. “Removing these vessels improves coastal habitats for the people and wildlife that call this area home.”
According to the GLO, GOAA is supported by the NOAA Marine Debris Program to remove abandoned and derelict vessels across the Gulf Coast. The release said the program’s goals include improving boater safety by removing hidden hazards, restoring natural water flow and reducing habitat degradation.
The agency described the partnership between the GOAA and the GLO as a continuing, successful derelict vessel removal initiative.