§4711 Abandonment of vessels prohibited

Summary

Owners or operators must not abandon covered vessels on the United States’ navigable waters. If a vessel looks abandoned, the Coast Guard will try to find the owner using the vessel registration number, hull identification number, or other available information. The Coast Guard will tell the owner about a possible penalty of up to $500 and that the vessel may be removed at the owner’s expense if it is declared abandoned. If the owner is known, notice will go by certified mail or other proper means. If the owner is unknown, notice will be placed in a local paper and on the Coast Guard website. The Coast Guard will wait at least 45 days after that notice before deciding the vessel is abandoned. The owner or operator can be charged the penalty and the vessel can be held to satisfy it. No penalty will be charged if the Coast Guard finds the abandonment was caused by major extenuating circumstances, like long-term medical incapacity. The Coast Guard may not declare a vessel abandoned if it is in a federally or State approved mooring, on private property with permission, the owner has notified the Coast Guard with location and proof the vessel is allowed there, or if declaring abandonment would not be in the public interest.