Abandoned Boats
NEW: DEEP offers the following clarification regarding the presumption that a vessel “left at a storage facility, repair facility or other commercial facility for more than one year since receipt of the last full payment by such facility” is abandoned in accordance with Section 15-140c(a)(4) of the Connecticut General Statutes (“CGS”).
1. The presumption must be supported by an initial and final certification or affidavit from the party with standing further establishing the facts of the reported abandonment. The Commissioner may seek financial information, including invoices, proof of payment, account status etc. from the party with standing that filed the Notice of Abandoned Vessel or from the vessel owner.
2. A vessel owner may rebut the presumption of vessel abandonment by (1) notifying in writing both DEEP and the Party with Standing that the vessel owner did not and does not intend to abandon the subject vessel and, (2) establishing that any account balance with the Party with Standing that filed the Notice of Abandoned Vessel is not more than one-year past due at the time the Notice of Abandoned Vessel was filed or at any time prior to the ownership transfer date of the vessel as established by the Commissioner pursuant to Section 15-140c of the CGS.
3. The vessel owner and the Party with Standing shall notify DEEP of any attempted or accepted payment. Should DEEP determine that such payment or offer of payment was valid and that such payment or offer of payment was or would have been sufficient to bring the balance owed on the vessel to not more than one-year past due, DEEP shall consider the matter closed and shall not reconsider a subsequent filing for abandonment for the same vessel due to non-payment of storage fees until six months have elapsed since such closure.
Vessels presumed to be abandoned at a mooring will be handled in a similar manner to determine whether a mooring payment is more than 60-days past due in accordance with Section 15-140c(a)(3) of the CGS.
Initial Certification
Final Certification
The Abandoned Boat Process
Under Section 15-140c of the CGS, an aggrieved person, or “Party with Standing”, submits a Notice of Abandoned Vessel along with a fee to the DEEP. The DEEP will make all the necessary checks and contacts required under the law. In general, if the vessel is not removed from the property of the Party with Standing within 45 days, the law will award ownership of the vessel to that person. The Party with Standing is then responsible for the disposition of the vessel.
- NO MORE THAN THREE VESSELS AT ONE TIME: Any person, business or other organization may have no more than three abandoned vessels in process at any given time, and users are asked to allow all three to finish processing before submitting additional abandoned vessels. The Department will return to the applicant any application that exceeds the three vessel limit.
- VESSELS ARE NOT FOR SALE: This process is open only to the Party with Standing, the vessel owner, and any bona fide lienholder or holder of a security interest. The vessels listed below are not available for sale.
When is a vessel considered abandoned?
In Connecticut, a vessel is considered abandoned if it is:
• Left on someone’s property for more than 24-hours without the property owner’s permission;
• Found free floating and unattended on the waters of the state for more than 24-hours (you should note the position of the vessel and notify DEEP Emergency Dispatch at 860-424-3333 before taking the vessel into custody);
• Improperly registered and left on the waters of the state for more than 24-hours (this provision is intended for police or government use);
• Left at a mooring for more than sixty days since payment for the mooring became overdue; (this provision is intended for municipal or harbormaster use)
• Left at a commercial facility for more than one year since payment for storage became overdue; or,
• Found during a declared public emergency in a public right-of-way.
Who has the right or "standing" to submit a Notice of Abandoned Vessel?
The law designates the following as having standing:
• The owner of the property where the vessel was abandoned OR any person that the landowner designates to complete the abandoned vessel process;
• Any harbormaster, police department, municipality or agent of the state that agrees to process the abandoned vessel;
• Any emergency responder who is responding to a declared emergency; or,
• Any licensed motor vehicle dealer or marine salvager who is engaged by one of these persons to tow or transport an abandoned vessel.
How do I submit a Notice of Abandoned Vessel?
To submit a Notice of Abandoned Vessel you must:
1. Have standing as designated by statute and described above,
2. Fill out a Notice of Abandoned Vessel form and have it notarized, and
3. Submit the notarized form and any required attachments including photographs to the DEEP with a $20 non-refundable fee.
If the abandoned vessel is not removed from the property where it was abandoned within approximately 45 days after information about the vessel’s abandonment is posted on the DEEP website, the Party with Standing will be awarded ownership of the vessel. The Party with Standing may then keep, sell, or otherwise dispose of the vessel.
All vessels that are reported as abandoned will be listed in the abandoned vessel table. The table will identify, among other things, the last date the vessel may be claimed by the owner or by someone with a lien on the vessel or a security interest in the vessel. If one of these persons commits to removing the vessel but cannot do so by the “Last Date to Claim Vessel”, that person has the right to ask for the date to be extended. In addition, the Commissioner may extend the date if more time to process a case is necessary. If this happens, an explanation as to why an extension was granted will be added to the table on the DEEP website.
Vessel Liens and Security Interests
Please note that there are safeguards built into the processing of abandoned vessels to protect the interests of lien-holders or holders of security interests. These safeguards require that various contacts be attempted or made if the abandoned vessel is subject to a lien or security interest. Posting of an abandoned vessel on the DEEP website may be delayed while these contacts are attempted.
- VESSEL OWNERSHIP TRANSFERS ARE FINAL: Persons who are considering submitting a Notice of Abandoned Vessel are advised to be prepared to receive ownership of the abandoned vessel and to deal with any associated complications arising from acquiring ownership.
- BOAT TRAILERS ARE NOT PART OF THIS PROCESS: This process does not deal in any way with abandoned vessel trailers. For information about abandoned trailers please contact the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Special Rules for Vessels That Are or Were USCG-Documented:
“Documented” vessels are vessels that are or were numbered (registered) with the Coast Guard. They are larger vessels that will likely have a name and hailing port painted on the back of the vessel, and are unlikely to have a “CT” registration number on the front but they may still display a Connecticut registration decal. There are special rules for dealing with an abandoned vessel that is or was documented. If you are unsure if the vessel you are dealing with is or was documented, feel free to call us at (860) 447-4354.
In order to process a Notice of Abandoned Vessel for a vessel that was previously documented with the United States Coast Guard, it will be necessary for you to obtain an Abstract of the Title from the United States Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC). The Abstract of the Title will cost you $25 and will take a week or two to receive. Please obtain the Abstract of Title prior to submitting your Notice of Abandoned Vessel, then contact us at (860) 447-4354.
An Abstract of Title can be ordered through the NVDC at www.uscg.mil/nvdc/
The NVDC can be reached by telephone at 1-800-799-8362.
- CURRENTLY DOCUMENTED VESSELS: This law cannot be used for abandoned vessels that are currently documented with the United States Coast Guard, except that the owners of these vessels can still be fined for abandoning the vessel. It is unnecessary to file a Notice of Abandoned Vessel in this case. Contact your locate police. The fine for abandoning a vessel is $440.00.
- FEDERAL TAX LIENS: From time to time an abandoned vessel is found to be subject to a federal tax lien. The DEEP Boating Division has no authority to discharge a vessel from a federal tax lien through the abandoned vessel process. The DEEP Boating Division will notify a party with standing if an abandoned vessel is found to be subject to a federal tax lien. Parties with standing seeking to take ownership of an abandoned vessel that is subject to a federal tax lien will be responsible for working with the IRS upon transfer of the vessel to formally discharge the vessel from the lien. Parties with standing will be required to sign an acknowledgement of the lien prior to transfer. A party with standing may choose to withdraw a vessel from the abandoned boat process at any time prior to being issued a Notice of Assumed Ownership.
Notice of Abandoned Vessel
Abandoned Vessel Law - Public Act 14-57
Section 15-140c of CGS
Vessel Liens:
Section 49-55s of CGS
UCC Filing Form
UCC Filing Online
Vessels Reported Abandoned-These Vessels Are Not For Sale
Unknown
|
Registration
Number and/ or Hull Identification Number * (Select the photograph to view larger image)
|
File
Number |
Make/ Model
|
Length
|
Primary
Color |
Town and
Waterbody Nearest Vessel Location |
Start Date/
Last Date for Owner to Claim Vessel |
|
CT 5276 N/
FXA312078H  |
19-098
|
Chris Craft/
Commander |
31'
|
White
|
Milford/
Long Island Sound |
|
| CT 8806 AX/ CECM0199C101  |
19-107 | Bombardier/ 5452 |
18'3" | White | Westbrook/ Long Island Sound |
Oct. 4, 2019/ Dec. 6, 2019 |
|
CT 2172 X/
STN01024M77b  |
19-115
|
Silverton/
Sport |
26'
|
White
|
Portland/
Connecticut River |
|
|
CT 166 AC/
EGG31301M76D  |
19-116
|
Egg Harbor/
CONVSE |
30'6"
|
White
|
Portland/
Connecticut River |
|
|
CT 1710 AH/
TRJEJ0151687  |
19-119
|
Trojan/
290 |
28'8"
|
White
|
Clinton/
Long Island Sound |
HOLD
|
|
CT 6179 AM/
CCHE5164C686  |
19-120
|
Chris Craft/
Catali |
29'
|
White
|
Clinton/
Long Island Sound |
Oct. 22, 2019/
Jan. 25, 2020 |
| CT 5125 AV/ PAC38104M80F  |
19-124 | Bayliner/ Ciera |
38' | White | Bridgeport/ Long Island Sound |
Dec. 30, 2019/ Mar.15, 2020 |
| CT 6417 AH/ RGM51049L687  |
19-131 | Regal/ Veloci |
22' | Red | Guilford/ Long Island Sound |
Nov. 7, 2019/ Jan. 10, 2020 |
| CT 2949 AC/ NTL02243M771  |
19-132 | Grady White/ Unknown |
20'4" | White | Guilford/ Long Island Sound |
Nov. 7, 2019/ Jan. 10, 2020 |
| CT 2941 AX/ None  |
19-133 | Custom Aluminum/ Unknown |
26'10" | White | Essex/ Connecticut River |
Nov. 19, 2019/ Jan. 3, 2020 |
| MS 6627 A/ NAB04110M78I  |
19-135 | North American/ C-22 |
24' | White | Groton/ Long Island Sound |
Nov. 26, 2019/ Jan. 17, 2020 |
| None/ None  |
19-136 | Carolina/ Unknown |
20' | Blue | Groton/ Long Island Sound |
Nov. 18, 2019/ Jan. 2, 2020 |
| NH 4702 BJ/ None  |
19-137 | Glasspar/ Runabout |
16' | White | Groton/ Long Island Sound |
Nov. 18, 2019/ Jan. 2, 2020 |
| CT 7970 AH/ CCBAG243M83D  |
19-138 | Chris Craft/ Stinger |
29' | White | Westbrook/ Long Island Sound |
Nov. 26, 2019/ Jan. 17, 2020 |
| CT 4120 BC/ KMH295991788  |
19-139 | Blackfin/ Unknown |
29'4" | White | Mystic/ Mystic River |
HOLD |
| US 549409/ PEA483430273  |
19-141 | Pearson/ 30 |
29'9" | White | Mystic/ Mystic River |
Dec. 7, 2019/ Jan. 21, 2020 |
| CT 1445 AB/ SCR890100281  |
19-142 | Sportcraft/ Family |
27' | White | Fairfield/ Long Island Sound |
Nov. 27 2019/ Jan. 11, 2020 |
| CT 6932 AC/ MRK107340577  |
19-143 | Mako/ Runner |
23' | White | Gales Ferry/ Thames River |
Dec. 4, 2019/ Jan. 18, 2020 |
| CT 1502 AR/ CCVG0399H394  |
19-144 | Chris Craft/ Concept |
18' | White | Danbury/ Candlewood Lake |
Dec. 5, 2019/ Jan. 19, 2020 |
| CT 3368 BA/ BLBA04C10781  |
19-145 | US Yachts/ Sailboat |
30' | White | Milford/ Long Island Sound |
Dec. 4, 2019/ Feb. 1, 2020 |
| CT 9705 BG/ SFR8X168M77D  |
19-146 | Seafarer/ Sailboat |
28'6" | Blue | Milford/ Long Island Sound |
Dec. 5, 2019/ Jan. 19, 2020 |
| Three Seas/ Unknown  |
19-147 | Owens/ Concorde |
35' | White | Portland/ Connecticut River |
Dec. 7, 2019/ Jan. 21, 2020 |
| CT 1362 AD/ CCHMD1150274  |
19-148 | Chris Craft/ Sedan |
33' | White | Chester/ Connecticut River |
Dec. 13, 2019/ Feb. 21, 2020 |
| CT 3572 AL/ CDR32017079  |
19-149 | Carver/ Voyager |
32' | White | Chester/ Connecticut River |
Dec. 20, 2019/ Feb. 3, 2020 |
| CT 490 AN/ STN34736I687  |
19-150 | Silverton/ 34 Conv |
34' | White | Chester/ Connecticut River |
Dec. 30, 2019/ Feb. 13, 2020 |
| None/ HAB10855F898  |
19-151 | Aquatory/ Paddleboat |
8' | White | Ellington/ Crystal Lake |
Dec. 31, 2019/ Feb. 14, 2020 |
| NH 6003 BE/ FSJAF068J889  |
20-002 | Citation/ Unknown |
23' | White | Windsor/ Connecticut River |
Jan. 29, 2020/ April 14, 2020 |
| CT 4557 AX/ USCA76CDL900  |
20-003 | Bayliner/ Ciera |
23'5" | White | South Glastonbury/ Connecticut River |
Jan. 18, 2020/ Mar. 3, 2020 |
| MS 4160 KV aka CT 9152 BE/ USCB60SJJ798  |
20-004 | Bayliner/ Ciera |
23'5" | White | South Glastonbury/ Connecticut River |
HOLD |
| CT 8537/ SDB001390483  |
20-005 | Stur-Dee/ Amesbury |
15'1" | White | North Haven/ Long Island Sound |
Feb. 28, 2020/ April 13, 2020 |
| MS 1378 KE/ BWCCL4A025575  |
20-008 | Boston Whaler/ Unknown |
11' | White | Guilford/ Long Island Sound |
Feb. 28, 2020/ April 13, 2020 |
| MS 0084 N/ MSZ03694F101  |
20-009 | Starcraft/ Unknown |
10' | Gray | Windsor/Connecticut River | Feb. 26, 2020/ April 11, 2020 |
| US 927138/ XYU6255F1485  |
20-010 | Ocean Boat/ Super Sport |
55'7" | White | Portland/ Connecticut River |
Feb. 28, 2020/ April 13, 2020 |
|
CT 3868 X/ |
20-011 |
Cigarette/ |
27' | Yellow | Clinton/ Long Island Sound |
Feb. 28, 2020/ April 30, 2020 |
| CT 8134 AN/ SEA77953I091  |
20-012 | Sea Nymph/ CC171R |
16'7" | Gray | Clinton/ Long Island Sound |
Feb. 27, 2020/ April 12, 2020 |
| CT 8169 AW/ BUJ86945G788  |
20-014 | Tracker/ Unknown |
16' | Gray | Woodstock/ West Thompson Lake |
Mar. 4, 2020/ April 18, 2020 |
MS 8051 AH / KWEDW171C404 |
20-015 | Key West/ Unknown |
20' | White | Westbrook/ Long Island Sound |
Mar. 14, 2020/ April 28, 2020 |
CT 7764 W/ XDYK06310574 |
20-016 | O'day/ 23 |
23' | White | Haddam/ Connecticut River |
Mar. 16, 2020/ May 7, 2020 |
CT 6514 AW/ CRSUSC17B494 |
20-017 | Cruiser Yachts/ 3270 |
30’3” | White | South Glastonbury/ Connecticut River |
HOLD |
CT 5124 BJ/ XWR32070B494 |
20-018 | Albemarle/ Sport Fisherman |
32' | White | Norwalk/ Long Island Sound |
Mar. 25, 2020/ May 9, 2020 |
CT 9422 AP/ WELECB82D494  |
20-019 | Wellcraft/ 196SC |
19' | White | Milford/ Long Island Sound |
Mar. 25, 2020/ May 9, 2020 |
| CT 1141 D/ Unknown  |
20-020 | Boston Whaler/ Unknown |
15' | White | Milford/ Long Island Sound |
Mar. 27, 2020/ May 11, 2020 |
NY 2851 GP/ TSP2410261178 |
20-021 | J-24/ Sailboat |
24' | White | Guilford/ Long Island Sound |
Apr 1, 2020/ May 16, 2020 |
| US 1188715/ “SWANY”  |
20-023 | Unknown/ Sailboat |
72' | White | Norwalk/ Long Island Sound |
Apr 10, 2020/ May 25, 2020 |
CT 4055 AW/ ZZNL7756E696 |
20-025 | Seadoo/ GSX |
8' | White | Newington/ Connecticut River |
Apr 15, 2020/ May 30, 2020 |
FL 0832 HX/ ZZN05582B393  |
20-026 | Seadoo/ Explorer |
13' | Yellow | Newington/ Connecticut River |
Apr 15, 2020/ May 30, 2020 |
