The boats have been causing issues, including forcing a youth program to move and even leaking oil into the water.
Now, there's an effort underway to get them out.
It's been a years-long mess in the Oakland Estuary, and soon the city will be on the clock to clean it up.
Oakland police say several boats are clear from the dock used by the East Bay Rowing Club, along with the trash that had piled up on the shore.
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But there are still a lot of boats in the water, and a state agency says at least one is leaking oil.
Organizers from the East Bay Rowing Club originally contacted authorities about the boats and kept its youth summer camp on land this week, saying it was putting the kids' safety first.
"All the trash has been removed. So, we've been able to continue our masters, which is our adult rowing program. So, we're continuing that, but we have decided to keep the kids off the water this week -- just because things seem to be a little uncertain right now," said Heather Krakora, executive director of the East Bay Rowing Club.
There are believed to be more than 40 sunken or disabled vessels in the estuary in addition to others illegally anchored out.
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The Bay Conservation and Development Commission is preparing a notice of violation against the city. It's the first step in an enforcement process that can result in fines.
The City of Oakland is working with a marine salvage company on plans for the cleanup.
The East Bay Rowing Club has also secured a federal grant to begin raising and removing some of the sunken boats.
Oakland Police Department said officers are planning enforcement actions around Estuary Cove in the future, though it did not share a timeline.