Frequently Asked Questions

Boat disposal costs in the UK vary considerably depending on a number of factors: the type and size of your vessel, its condition, its current location, and whether any specialist lifting or recovery equipment is required. As a general guide, small boat disposal starts from around £695. For a more accurate estimate, please use our online estimate tool or for a free, no-obligation quote.

Yes — we offer a genuinely nationwide boat collection and removal service across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We collect from marinas, boatyards, rivers, lakes, harbours, private land, and virtually any other location. We have teams based around the UK's main coastal and inland waterway areas, allowing us to reach most locations efficiently.

After collection, your boat is transported to our processing facility where it undergoes a thorough dismantling process. Hazardous materials such as fuel, oils, and batteries are removed first and disposed of safely. Reusable components are then assessed and salvaged where possible. The remaining materials — including GRP fibreglass, metals, and wood — are separated and directed to appropriate recycling or disposal facilities. You will receive waste transfer documentation confirming that your vessel has been disposed of legally and responsibly.

If your boat is registered with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) on the Small Ships Register (SSR) or Part 1 of the British Register, it should ideally be deregistered upon disposal. If your boat is registered with the Canal and River Trust for use on inland waterways, the licence should be cancelled. We can assist with the deregistration process as part of our comprehensive disposal service — simply let us know when you contact us.

Yes — we can collect boats from the water, provided there is suitable crane or lifting access available. We have experience working in marinas, harbours, rivers, and tidal waters. For afloat collections, we will carry out an assessment beforehand to determine the most suitable lifting and transport method, and we will liaise with the marina or harbour authority as required.

We have a specialist sunk boat recovery team that deals with submerged and partially submerged vessels. The recovery method depends on the depth of water, the condition of the hull, and the location, but we have the equipment and experience to manage most recovery situations. Please see our sunk boat recovery page for more information, or please fill in our enquiry form.

Absolutely. Many of our customers remove items they wish to keep or sell before we collect the vessel — this might include sails, electronics, outboard motors, deck hardware, or personal items. We simply factor any items already removed into our quote. If you would like our advice on which parts are most likely to have resale value, we are happy to discuss this with you.

Yes — Boat Recycling holds all the relevant and Scottish Environment Protection Agency licences required for the collection, transport, and processing of waste from marine vessels. We are also fully insured and can provide copies of our licences and insurance certificates on request.

Yes — we work regularly with marinas, harbour authorities, local councils, and private landowners to remove abandoned boats that do not belong to them. There are specific legal procedures that must be followed before an abandoned vessel can be removed, and we can guide you through these. Please see our abandoned boat removal page and our guide to abandoned boat laws in the UK for more information.

The timeline varies depending on the vessel and location, but in most cases we can arrange collection within a few weeks of your initial enquiry. Emergency situations can be dealt with much more rapidly — please fill in our enquiry form. Once the boat has been collected, the dismantling and processing typically takes a further two to four weeks, after which we will issue your disposal documentation.

Yes — we offer a dedicated marina clearance service for operators needing to remove multiple unwanted, abandoned, or derelict vessels. We provide tailored packages for bulk clearance projects with competitive pricing that reflects the economies of scale available. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

We accept all types of recreational and commercial marine vessels, including sailing yachts, motorboats and cruisers, narrowboats and canal boats, RIBs (rigid inflatable boats), fibreglass/GRP boats of all types, wooden boats, steel-hulled vessels, and small commercial craft. If you are unsure whether we can assist with your particular vessel, simply for a no-obligation discussion.

GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) fibreglass is one of the most challenging materials to recycle due to its composite nature. However, it is not simply sent to landfill. Modern co-processing techniques — including the use of GRP as a supplementary fuel in cement manufacturing — allow GRP to be processed in an environmentally responsible manner. We are committed to maximising material recovery from every vessel we process and continuously evaluate new recycling technologies. Please see our guide to old fibreglass boats for more detail.