AUSTIN— Texas game wardens, the General Land Office, Aransas County and Keep Aransas County Beautiful partnered for a two-day event held Oct. 25-26 offered the citizens of Aransas County an opportunity to remove unwanted or inoperable and vessels through the Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) free of charge.

The VTIP program is designed to provide owners with a voluntary method of disposal rather than abandoning or sinking a vessel, which is a safer and more environment friendly option.

TPWD Game Wardens inspected 31 vessels ranging from bay boats, jet skis, and sailboats. Texas game wardens verified each vessel by verification of hull identification numbers (HIN), release of interest and ownership, and titles free of liens or balances.