- Marine Salvage Experts
Sunken Boat Removal Services in Hobe Sound, FL

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Underwater Boat Lifting & Disposal Services
By the time a call comes in, the vessel is sitting on the bottom, resting on a mudline, or listing with its gunwales trapped under the waterline. Water has filled the bilge, battery compartments are submerged, and trapped fuel or oil threatens the surrounding water. Trying to raise a sunken craft yourself using hardware store pumps or rigging often leads to snapped lines, torn cleats, or a re-sunk hull that settles deeper into the sediment. A recovery crew approaches the hull with industrial gear, containment booms, and the correct rigging points to extract the structure safely without leaving debris behind.
We handle submerged jet skis, runabouts, pontoon boats, and larger craft such as sailboats, yachts, and catamarans on a case-by-case basis. Waterfront property owners, marina operators, and dock managers rely on this service to clear navigation hazards and remove abandoned hulls permanently.
The underwater recovery process includes:
- Initial underwater assessment and structural evaluation
- Spill prevention and control of oil, fuel, and hazardous materials
- Permit coordination with local water authorities
- Submerged salvage focused solely on hull recovery
- Dismantling and cutting damaged hulls into haulable sections
- Hauling, towing, and final disposal at approved land sites
Operations utilize commercial diving gear, high-capacity dewatering pumps, heavy winches, lift bags, cutting tools, and tow coordination to lift the vessel, clear the site, and transport the scrap away.
Sunken boat recovery and marine salvage planning document location details, vessel dimensions, visible damage, depth, and the path for recovery and removal.
Sunken Vessel Removal Process
Clearing a submerged hull returns open water, usable slip space, and peace of mind. Getting the vessel completely off the bottom and out of the water requires a systematic sequence of heavy marine work.
- Site Assessment: Divers or surface crews evaluate water depth, structural integrity of the hull, access routes for heavy equipment, and active fuel or oil leaks.
- Removal Planning: A targeted rigging and lifting plan is drawn up solely to bring the structure to the surface for disposal, without concern for preserving mechanics or cosmetics.
- Regulatory Clearance: Necessary filings and notifications are handled with local marine authorities and environmental agencies prior to rig deployment.
- Lifting and Rigging: Air bags, straps, or crane lines raise the vessel. The hull is stabilized, pumped out, cut down if required, and loaded onto transport.
- Disposal and Cleanup: Fluids are drained into containment tanks, metals are sorted for recycling, and the remaining debris is hauled away to clear the site.
A submerged vessel recovery estimate and pricing review consider boat construction, structural damage, depth, available space, and environmental concerns.
Common Sunken Boat Situations Near Marinas
Calls come in when a hull is sitting on the bottom, resting sideways, or taking on water. Owners ask if it can be lifted, how it gets hauled out, and how oil is contained.
- Boats sunk at docks or marinas
- Storm-damaged vessels
- Partly flooded or capsized hulls
- Submerged boats blocking channels
- Vessels leaking fuel or oil
Sunken boat removal and recovery may be needed for submerged powerboats, sailboats, personal watercraft, and other damaged recreational vessels.
- Faqs
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Sunken Boat Removal in Hobe Sound, FL
On job day, our crew sets up rigging, deploys lift bags or pumps, and secures the hull before pulling the vessel clear of the water. Once on the trailer, we haul it straight to a disposal facility. Send us photos, details on the vessel's current depth or position, and its overall condition to receive a recovery assessment.
For a marine recovery estimate, provide location details, vessel dimensions, water conditions, and photographs from several angles.