Need info - how to register an abandoned boat

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manticore999

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A friend of mine found a jetski abandoned in the water. He reported it to the sheriff who said they received no reports about it. He fixed it up and wants to register it as a salvaged vessel. Does anyone know anything about how to do this? Going through the website for the DMV was not real helpful (what a surprise).

Appreciate any help.
 
I would say, have your friend go to whatever state agency that handles boats in your state and ask the procedure face to face.
 
If your friend uses Vessel Assist/Boat US, Phil is very helpful. As a salvager himself, I'm sure he knows the laws regarding this better then anyone at the DMV!
 
That's a good tip from Flutterby, but with an "asterisk" added to it...

A PWC is a serialized item with a hull ID number and CF's (assuming it was registered). It's not like finding a football hemlet on the side of the road, the PWC is traceable. He can't just bee-bop on down to the DMV and register it... ;)

Did your friend file a report with the SO or did he just call anonymously about a "theoretical" situation?

By law, anything (and especially an item that is found with a serial number) has to have a "found property" report filed. After a certain amount of time, if the item is not claimed, it can be returned to the person that reported it found. On the other hand, if the losing party then reports the item lost (or stolen), the serial number connects the two reports and the item is returned to the original owner and the reporting party becomes a good samaritan and hopefully gets a reward.

But in the case of a PWC (or any type of vehicle with a VIN/HIN), the local SO (or PD) HAS to file a CHP-180 form and a basic investigation has to occur. Even if the PWC was stripped of its CF numbers, the HID # will be run to determine who the owner is (or who was the last owner). The officer must attempt to contact the last R/O and determine what the status of the item is.

Usually, after about 7 years, inactive VIN/HID numbers are purged from the DMV database and show "no record found" when their ID numbers are run. The investigating officer then has to contact DMV in writing to request a history check of the VIN/HID. It's all part of the investigation...

If the CF #'s were removed and the HID # was ground off, it then automatically becomes a possible stolen vehicle/PWC investigation and further investigation must occur (there is a hidden VIN/HID # on most items). ALL boats have one. Do you know where yours is???

Since your friend has already put some work into it, hopefully (for his sake), the owner doesn't pop up to claim it. Your friend might be out all of his hard work and money!

Good luck!
 
Good advice - thanks! I'm not sure if he filed a found property report. Aren't there some kind of salvage laws that could apply, too? I knownothingabout that, of course.
 
Good advice - thanks! I'm not sure if he filed a found property report. Aren't there some kind of salvage laws that could apply, too? I knownothingabout that, of course.
 
I don't know much about salvage laws, but I have heard something about the laws kick into effect if the vessel is found/salvaged (insert unknown amount here) miles off-shore.

I'm certainly no expert, but I believe that local boat towing/salvage companies are set up differently in regards to the laws. They can place a lien on the vessel if they have to salvage it for safety (or other authorized)reasons and if the R/O (if known) doesn't pay the lien, then the towing company can take over ownership of it. It's kind of like the storage places that get stiffed on the rent. After a period of time goes by, and the proper paperwork has been done, they can sell the items in an attempt to recover their "losses".

In either case, it's a civil issue and governed by statutes/ordinances/civil law of the particular jurisdiction.

I hope the best for your buddy!
 
Hi manticore999,

A Jet ski has "come up missing" from our Marina on the Sacramento River.
Do you know what body of water was the Ski found?. Was the registration still intact?
Which County did your friend report the missing Jet Ski to?

Helluva first post huh....I tried to PM you but I guess being newbie that is not allowed.

Todd
 
This was on the San Joaquin near Lauritzen's marina. It was reported at the Sheriff station located right at the marina. I think to use PM you need to be a paying member.
 
Do you know what make and model it is?
Were the CF numbers still intact?

Any vessel that is worth having/salvaging has not been abandoned, it has been moved from it's proper place.
There have been several boats that have been (abandoned)"floating" down the river, they have all been COMPLETELY gutted/stripped and not worth having/salvaging. (also some were full of trash, junk and garbage)

With thefts on the rise on the water it would sure be nice if we looked out for each other instead of looking to take advantage of someone else's misfortune.

Todd

I guess the real question is, is he interested in finding the rightful owner?
 
quote:
Originally posted by T-Mac

Do you know what make and model it is?
Were the CF numbers still intact?

Any vessel that is worth having/salvaging has not been abandoned, it has been moved from it's proper place.
There have been several boats that have been (abandoned)"floating" down the river, they have all been COMPLETELY gutted/stripped and not worth having/salvaging. (also some were full of trash, junk and garbage)

With thefts on the rise on the water it would sure be nice if we looked out for each other instead of looking to take advantage of someone else's misfortune.

Todd

I guess the real question is, is he interested in finding the rightful owner?

Click to expand...


Did you miss the part where he reported it to the sheriff?
 
Did you miss the part where he said "I'm not sure if he filed a found property report."

Was any kind of report filed?

quote:
Originally posted by getakey

quote:
Originally posted by T-Mac

Do you know what make and model it is?
Were the CF numbers still intact?

Any vessel that is worth having/salvaging has not been abandoned, it has been moved from it's proper place.
There have been several boats that have been (abandoned)"floating" down the river, they have all been COMPLETELY gutted/stripped and not worth having/salvaging. (also some were full of trash, junk and garbage)

With thefts on the rise on the water it would sure be nice if we looked out for each other instead of looking to take advantage of someone else's misfortune.

Todd

I guess the real question is, is he interested in finding the rightful owner?

Click to expand...


Did you miss the part where he reported it to the sheriff?

Click to expand...
 
He did file a report with the sheriff on the day he pulled it out of the water. I know he followed up with the sheriff 2 weeks later and was told that they hadn't heard from anyone else about it. Lighten up, folks, he didn't steal it. He found it floating in the water, reported it, got it running again and is trying to do the right thing. If the owner shows up at the sheriff's office with proof of ownwership he'll turn it over, although he should be paid for the work he did on it He's excited about maybe a cool turn of events (for him, anyway) but he's a good kid - one of the few good ones left.
 
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