Submerged vessels and what happens next in Jacksonville
When a boat goes down in Jacksonville's busy waterways, every minute counts. At Captain Tom's, we respond fast because a submerged vessel in a channel like the St. Johns River is both a navigational hazard and an environmental hazard — fuel, oil, and fluids don't wait around. We handle emergency response for sunken boat recovery across Jacksonville and the surrounding areas, including open water, docks, and any marina along the coast.
Our local underwater recovery team knows these waters. Whether your boat is fully or partially submerged at a dock, in a marina, or out in open water, our certified divers are ready to move.
Comprehensive boat removal services we offer
Our boat removal services include everything from pulling submerged vessels off the riverbed to hauling away junk boats sitting forgotten in a backyard. Here's what we handle.
- Sunken boat recovery — This is our core work. We use lift bags, cranes, and rigging to raise submerged vessels safely, keeping hull damage to a minimum during the entire sunken boat recovery process. We also support insurance claim support documentation when needed.
- Wreck removal and abandoned vessel cleanup — Storm-damaged, derelict, or just left behind, these boats become someone else's problem fast. Our wreck removal team can dismantle what can't be moved whole and haul away the rest, handling all the logistics so you don't have to.
- Junk boat removal and boat disposal service — Got an old sailboat, jet ski, or yacht collecting barnacles on your property or dock? Our junk boat removal crew will haul it off, whether it's on land or water. That includes yachts and catamarans that need professional removal and proper disposal.
- Recycling and hazardous materials handling — After every job, we sort what can be recycled and make sure nothing harmful gets dumped. Our recycling process covers hazardous materials like fuel, oil, and battery acid, all handled in full compliance with environmental regulations.
Why professional removal matters for wreck removal jobs
Not every boat removal job is the same. When you're dealing with submerged vessels, tricky water conditions, or a wreck removal that needs real expertise, you need a crew that's done it before. Here's why Captain Tom's is the right call for challenging recoveries.
- Expertise in difficult recoveries — Our crew handles the jobs that stop general junk haulers cold. Sunken boat removal, complex rigging, underwater obstacles, emergency services at odd hours — we've worked through it all, and we know how to get submerged vessels up safely without making a bad situation worse.
- Specialized heavy-lifting equipment — We bring the right gear to every job. Whether it's high-capacity cranes for yachts and catamarans or precision lift bags for a delicate wreck removal in tight quarters, our equipment is matched to the work, not improvised on the spot.
- Full-service, start to finish — Captain Tom's is a direct service provider, not a broker who hands you off. We manage the entire boat removal process from the first assessment through final boat disposal, covering everything from junk boat removal to comprehensive boat removal services on larger, more complex jobs.
- Direct insurance and permitting support — We put together professional documentation that holds up with your insurance claim and walk you through any permits your situation requires. Insurance claim support is part of what we do, so you're not left sorting through paperwork on your own after an already stressful event.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sunken Boat Removal in Jacksonville
First, make sure everyone is safe, then report it to the authorities and your insurance company right away. Quick action is the best way to mitigate damage before things get worse. From there, call us and we'll get the recovery process started as fast as possible.
We're specialists in sunken boat recovery, but our comprehensive removal services go well beyond that. We handle junk boat removal, abandoned vessels, storm-damaged wrecks, yachts and catamarans, and general boat disposal. Submerged vessels, wreck removal, you name it, we've done it.
In most cases, yes. Marine insurance policies typically cover recovery to prevent a total loss and reduce liability exposure. We handle all the documentation for the claim so you're not chasing paperwork while dealing with everything else. Think of it as insurance claim support, built into what we do.
Captain Tom's provides emergency boat removal throughout Jacksonville and all of Duval County. We run frequent operations in areas like the St. Johns River and surrounding marinas, handling everything from professional removal of submerged vessels to full boat disposal jobs. Give us a call and we'll get a rapid response on the way.