Submerged vessels in Baltimore's waterways
At Captain Tom's, we know a submerged vessel doesn't wait. In Baltimore's busy waterways, including the Patapsco River, a sunken boat becomes a navigational hazard and an environmental hazard fast, leaking fuel and blocking traffic within hours. We handle emergency response and full sunken boat recovery for clients across Baltimore and the surrounding areas, including boats of all sizes from small runabouts to yachts and catamarans. Our wreck removal process is built for speed without cutting corners.
Our local underwater recovery team works at any dock, marina, or open water site in Baltimore, MD. Whether your boat is fully or partially submerged, our certified divers are ready to move.
Comprehensive boat removal services we offer
Our boat removal services include everything from pulling sunken vessels off the harbor floor to hauling off that old junk boat sitting in your backyard. We handle it all.
- Sunken boat recovery — This is our core work. We use professional-grade lift bags, cranes, and rigging to safely raise submerged vessels from Baltimore's waterways. Whether we're dealing with small motorboats or larger yachts and catamarans, we protect the hull during every lift and coordinate insurance claim support when needed.
- Wreck removal and abandoned vessel clearance — Wrecked, storm-damaged, or abandoned vessel sitting at your dock? We manage the full scope, from permits to logistics. Our team can dismantle problem boats on-site and haul away every piece, handling the complex work so you don't have to.
- Junk boat removal and boat disposal service — We also take care of boats that never touched water again. Old sailboats, jet skis, rotting hulls on trailers, we haul away whatever you've got. Think of it as junk boat removal with professional removal standards, not just a pickup crew.
- Recycling and proper disposal — After any removal job, we don't just dump and go. Recycling is built into our process. All hazardous materials, fuel, oil, batteries, are handled in full compliance with environmental regulations, keeping Baltimore's waterways clean and keeping you clear of liability.
From emergency services after a sudden sinking to planned wreck removal projects, our team brings the same careful approach every time. Got questions? Our sunken boat FAQ covers the most common ones, or just call us directly.
Why Baltimore calls us for wreck removal
Not every job is a straightforward junk boat removal. When you're dealing with submerged vessels, tricky water conditions, or a full wreck removal off a busy Baltimore dock, you need a crew that's done it before. Here's why we're the right call for challenging recoveries:
Expertise in difficult recoveries — Our crew handles the full sunken boat removal process, including submerged vessels, complex rigging setups, and underwater obstacles that stop general junk haulers cold. Professional boat removal at this level takes real experience, and we've built it over years of working Baltimore's waterways.
Specialized heavy-lifting equipment — From high-capacity cranes for yachts and catamarans to precision lift bags for more delicate wreck removal situations, we show up with the right gear. No improvising, no delays waiting on equipment that should've been on the trailer from the start.
Full-service, start to finish — Captain Tom's is a direct service provider, not a broker passing your job down the line. We manage the entire boat removal process, from the first assessment through boat disposal or transport. Our comprehensive boat removal services cover emergency services calls too, not just planned hauls.
Direct insurance and permitting support — We prepare professional documentation so your insurance claim doesn't stall out over missing paperwork. We also help sort out the permits required for recoveries in Maryland waters, which cuts down the back-and-forth and keeps the job moving. Check our Sunken Boat FAQ if you have questions about what that process looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sunken Boat Removal in Baltimore
Get everyone safe first. Then call your insurance company and report it to the authorities. After that, reach out to a professional removal crew right away. Quick action helps mitigate damage to the hull and the surrounding water. The recovery process goes a lot smoother when we get the call early.
We handle sunken boat recovery as our bread and butter, but our services go well beyond that. Need junk boat removal, wreck removal, or full boat disposal after a storm? We cover it. Yachts and catamarans, old abandoned hulls, storm-damaged vessels — that's all part of what we do.
Usually, yes. Marine insurance policies typically cover recovery to prevent a total loss and keep liability off your back. We work with boat owners regularly on insurance claim support and can provide all the documentation for the claim your insurer asks for.
Captain Tom's provides emergency boat removal throughout Baltimore and all of Baltimore County. We run frequent operations in areas like the Inner Harbor and the marinas dotting the surrounding shoreline. Give us a call and we'll get a rapid response team out to you.