Submerged vessels in Seattle's waterways
At Captain Tom's, we know that a submerged vessel in Seattle's waterways doesn't wait for business hours. Puget Sound sees heavy commercial and recreational traffic every day, and a boat on the bottom fast becomes a navigational hazard and an environmental hazard for the water around it. Our team handles emergency response for sunken boat recovery across Seattle and the surrounding areas, from Lake Union to Elliott Bay, so you're not left waiting while the situation gets worse.
We're a local underwater recovery crew with years of experience pulling boats from docks, open water, and every marina in between. Whether your boat is fully or partially submerged, our certified divers are ready to move.
Our comprehensive boat removal services
Our boat removal services include everything from pulling submerged vessels off the bottom of Puget Sound to hauling off that junk boat sitting in your yard. Here's what we handle.
- Sunken boat recovery — This is our bread and butter. We bring in lift bags, cranes, and rigging to raise submerged vessels safely, without making the hull damage worse. Whether you've got a small runabout or one of the larger yachts and catamarans on the water, our professional removal crew has the gear to get it done.
- Wreck removal and abandoned vessel cleanup — Wrecked, storm-beaten, or left to rot by a previous owner, we take care of it. Our team knows how to dismantle problem boats and work through the complex logistics of getting them off the water. We also support insurance claim support documentation when you need it.
- Junk boat removal and hauling — Our boat disposal service covers dry land too. Got an old sailboat or jet ski taking up space? We'll haul away anything that's worn out its welcome. Junk boat removal on land or water, we've done it hundreds of times across Seattle.
- Recycling and proper disposal — After every job, we focus on proper disposal of whatever comes up. We recycle as much of the vessel as we can, and all hazardous materials get handled in full compliance with environmental regulations. No cutting corners, no dumping.
From emergency services after a sudden sinking to planned wreck removal jobs that have been sitting on the to-do list for months, we're equipped for all of it. If you've got questions about the sunken boat removal process or want to dig into our sunken boat FAQ, we're happy to walk you through it before you commit to anything.
Why Captain Tom's handles professional removal
Not every boat removal job is the same. Sunken vessels, partial wrecks, submerged vessels in tight marina slips — these are complex recoveries that demand real expertise and the right gear. Here's why Captain Tom's is the right call for challenging recoveries.
- Expertise in difficult recoveries — Our crew has worked through every tough scenario Seattle's waterways throw at us. Professional boat removal for submerged vessels, tangled rigging, and underwater obstacles that stop general junk haulers cold. We've seen it, and we've handled it.
- Specialized heavy-lifting equipment — We bring the right tools to every job. High-capacity cranes for yachts and catamarans, lift bags for delicate wreck removal operations, and the full range of gear needed for comprehensive boat removal services no matter the size or condition of the vessel.
- Full-service, start to finish — Captain Tom's is a direct service provider. We manage the entire boat removal process ourselves, from the first assessment through final boat disposal or junk boat removal. No brokers, no handoffs, no surprises.
- Direct insurance and permitting support — We know how stressful a sunken boat situation can be. Captain Tom's provides professional documentation to support your insurance claim and helps you sort out the necessary permits, so you're not buried in paperwork on top of everything else. Check our sunken boat FAQ or ask about emergency services if you need answers fast.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sunken Boat Removal in Seattle
Get everyone safe, then call the Coast Guard and your insurance company right away. After that, reach out to us. Quick action is the best way to mitigate damage before it gets worse, and we'll walk you through the recovery process from the first call.
We specialize in sunken boat recovery, including submerged vessels of all sizes, yachts and catamarans, and storm-damaged wrecks. Our boat disposal and junk boat removal services cover abandoned boats too. Think of it as comprehensive removal services for anything floating, sinking, or already on the bottom.
Usually, yes. Marine insurance policies typically cover wreck removal to avoid a total loss and reduce your liability exposure. We work alongside your insurer and provide full documentation for the claim, so you're not left sorting through paperwork on your own.
Captain Tom's provides emergency boat removal throughout Seattle and all of King County. We run frequent operations in areas like Ballard and the surrounding marinas along the Ship Canal and Elliott Bay. Give us a call and we'll get a rapid response team moving your way.