Submerged vessels in Washington waters
At Captain Tom's, we know a submerged vessel doesn't wait. On the Potomac River, a sunken boat becomes a navigational hazard and an environmental hazard fast, threatening other boats, wildlife, and the waterway itself. Our emergency response team handles sunken boat recovery for Washington DC clients across every marina, dock, and open water stretch in the area, including surrounding communities throughout the DMV region.
We're a local underwater recovery team with certified divers ready to move on your schedule. Fully or partially submerged at a dock, in a marina, or mid-river, we respond immediately.
Comprehensive boat removal services we offer
Our boat removal services include everything from pulling submerged vessels off the Potomac to hauling away a junk boat that's been sitting forgotten at a marina slip.
- Sunken boat recovery — This is our core work. We use professional-grade lift bags, cranes, and rigging to safely raise submerged vessels from Washington DC's waterways. Our sunken boat removal process is built around protecting what's left of the hull while keeping the water clean.
- Wreck removal and abandoned vessel cleanup — We manage the full scope of wreck removal, including storm-damaged boats and abandoned vessel situations that have become a legal or safety headache. Our team handles the logistics to dismantle and clear these boats completely.
- Junk boat removal and hauling — Our boat disposal service covers dry-land situations too. We'll haul away old sailboats, jet skis, yachts and catamarans that are taking up space. If it floats, used to float, or barely floats, we'll deal with it.
- Recycling and proper disposal — After every removal, we handle proper disposal the right way. We recycle as much of the vessel as possible and make sure all hazardous materials are managed in full compliance with environmental regulations. No cutting corners, no dumping.
We also offer insurance claim support and emergency services for boats that go down fast and need attention right away. Whether you're dealing with a marina in Seattle, a dock on Lake Washington, or a slip here in DC, our team knows what professional removal looks like from start to finish.
Professional removal: why call Captain Tom's?
Not every job is a straightforward haul-away. When you're dealing with submerged vessels, tricky water conditions, or a wreck that's been sitting for months, professional boat removal requires a crew that's actually done this before and knows what they're walking into.
- Expertise in challenging recoveries — Our crew has worked through the toughest conditions the Potomac and surrounding DC waterways throw at us. Sunken boat removal, complex rigging, underwater obstacles — this is where general junk haulers tap out and we're just getting started. From wreck removal to full junk boat removal jobs, we've handled it.
- Specialized heavy-lifting equipment — We bring the right gear, period. High-capacity cranes for yachts and catamarans, lift bags for more delicate submerged vessels, and everything in between. Our comprehensive boat removal services are built around having the proper tools on-site, not improvising.
- Full-service, start to finish — Captain Tom's is a direct service provider, not a middleman booking someone else's crew. We manage the entire boat removal process ourselves, from the first on-water assessment through boat disposal or transport. No handoffs, no surprises.
- Direct insurance claim and permitting support — We produce professional documentation that holds up with insurers and give you real insurance claim support so you're not drowning in paperwork. We also assist with permits so you stay compliant with DC and federal waterway requirements. Our emergency services are available when the situation can't wait.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sunken Boat Removal in Washington
First, make sure everyone is safe, then report the incident to the Coast Guard and your insurance company right away. Quick action matters. The faster you get a professional removal team on site, the better your chances to mitigate damage and keep the recovery process from getting a lot more complicated.
We're specialists in sunken boat recovery, including submerged vessels, storm-damaged wrecks, and wreck removal from marinas and waterways. We also handle comprehensive removal services for junk boat situations, abandoned vessels, yachts and catamarans, and general boat disposal. If it's in the water and it shouldn't be, we can handle it.
In most cases, yes. Marine insurance policies typically cover recovery costs to prevent a total loss and reduce your liability exposure. We handle insurance claim support directly, giving you all the documentation for the claim your insurer needs so you're not chasing paperwork while dealing with everything else.
Captain Tom's provides emergency boat removal throughout Washington DC and all of Washington DC County. We run frequent operations in areas like the Anacostia River waterfront and surrounding marinas. Give us a call and we'll get a rapid response team out to you.