§ 93.110. Boats that are junked, destroyed, lost, stolen or abandoned.
(a) Reporting requirements. The destruction, loss, theft or abandonment of a boat titled under this subchapter shall be reported to the Commission within 5 days. The recovery of a boat that is lost, stolen or abandoned shall be reported to the Commission within 5 days of recovery.
(b) Acquiring title to boats abandoned on private property.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this subsection, a landowner, a lessee or an agent may acquire title to any boat abandoned on his land or waters immediately adjacent to it. This subsection applies only to boats that have been abandoned on the property of a person other than the owner of the boat for at least 3 months.
(2) A person desiring to obtain a certificate of title for an abandoned boat shall provide written notice to the Commission of intent to obtain title to the boat. The notice shall, at a minimum, set forth the date and place the boat was abandoned, a description of the boat, including the make, model and year, and, if known, the Hull Identification Number, registration number, temporary decal number and other identifying data.
(3) If a boat abandoned on a person’s lands or waters has a Hull Identification Number, registration number, temporary decal number or other identifying indicia, the Commission will notify the boat’s owner and lienholder, if any, that the boat has been abandoned and that the requester desires to acquire title to it.
(4) Upon receipt of the written request, the Commission will notify the owner and the lienholder by certified mail that someone desires to acquire title to the boat and if ownership is not claimed and the boat removed within 30 days, the Commission may, upon proper application and payment of fees, issue a certificate of title in the name of the person desiring to acquire title. If the owner does not respond, the Commission may notify the requester to proceed under paragraph (5). The Commission is not required to send a letter if it cannot identify a boat’s owner or lienholder or ascertain an address. If the abandoned boat has a registration number, temporary decal number or other identifying indicia, evidencing that the boat is registered in another state, the Commission will notify the other state and ask it to notify the boat’s owner and lienholder by certified mail that someone desires to acquire title to the boat. The other state’s notice shall provide that if ownership is not claimed and the boat removed within 30 days, the Commission may, upon proper application and payment of fees, issue a certificate of title in the name of the person desiring to acquire title. The other state is not required to send a letter if it cannot identify a boat’s owner or lienholder or ascertain an address. When the other state notifies the owner and lienholder, if known, as provided in this section and advises the Commission that the transfer of title to the requester is unobjectionable to the other state, the Commission may notify the requester to proceed under paragraph (5).
(5) Regardless of whether the abandoned boat has a Hull Identification Number, registration number, temporary decal number or other identifying indicia, the person desiring to acquire title shall place a notice in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county where the boat is located for 3 consecutive days, describing the boat, its location, the date it was abandoned and any identifying number. The person shall state in the notice that if the boat is not claimed and removed within 30 days after publication in the newspaper, he will apply for title to the boat in his name.
(6) After the notices described in paragraphs (4) and (5) have expired, but no earlier than 60 days after the person desiring to obtain title has first notified the Commission, the person may apply to the Commission for a certificate of title to the boat in his name as required by this subchapter and accompanied by the following affidavits:
(i) A statement made under penalty of law that the boat has been abandoned for at least 3 months.
(ii) Proof that the applicant provided notice as set forth in paragraphs (2)—(4).
(iii) Proof that a notice was published in a newspaper as required by paragraph (5).
(7) In cases involving boats registered in other states, the Commission may extend the 60-day period described in paragraph (6) to 180 days.
(8) Upon receipt of the material required by this subsection and the payment of any fees required by law, the Commission will issue a certificate of title to the boat to the applicant. Issuance of a certificate of title divests any other person of any interest in the boat.
(c) Acquiring title to boats abandoned on public property or waters.
(1) A person finding a boat abandoned on public property or waters—that is, property or waters under the ownership or control of the Commonwealth, its agencies or political subdivisions—shall notify the Commission of the description and location of the found boat as well as the date on which it was found.
(2) The Commission may take possession of a boat abandoned on public property or waters or may authorize a salvor to take possession if the salvor complies with this section, is a vehicle salvage dealer as defined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 1337 (relating to use of miscellaneous motor vehicle business registration plates) and holds a current, valid certificate of authorization issued by the Department of Transportation under 75 Pa.C.S. § 7302 (relating to certification of authorization).
(3) A salvor taking possession of a boat under this section shall notify the Commission in writing within 48 hours after taking possession.
(4) The Commission, after taking possession of an abandoned boat or after receiving notice that a salvor has taken possession of an abandoned boat, shall notify by certified mail, return receipt requested the last known registered owner of the boat and all lienholders of record. The notice shall:
(i) Describe the make, model, HIN number and registration number of the boat.
(ii) State the location where the boat is being held.
(iii) Inform the owner and any lienholders of their right to reclaim the boat within 30 days after the date of the notice upon payment of all towing and storage charges and all applicable title and registration fees.
(iv) State that failure of the owner or lienholder to reclaim the boat is deemed consent to the destruction, sale or other disposition of the abandoned boat with dissolution of all interests of the owner and lienholders.
(5) If the identity of the last registered owner and all lienholders cannot be determined, the contents of the notice described in paragraph (4) shall be published one time in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the boat was found abandoned. If the boat is in possession of a salvor, publication of the notice shall be the responsibility of the salvor. If the boat is in possession of the Commission, publication of the notice is the responsibility of the Commission. Publication of the notice shall have the same effect as the notice sent by certified mail.
(6) The Commission, after 45 days of the date of notice sent by certified mail described in paragraph (4) or publication of the notice described in paragraph (5), may dispose of the boat if it is in its possession or may authorize the salvor to dispose of the boat in its possession as provided in paragraph (7) or (8).
(7) The Commission, if in possession of the unclaimed abandoned boat, or the salvor, if in possession of the unclaimed abandoned boat, may sell the boat at public auction if it has value. The purchaser may apply to the Commission for a title, which shall be free and clear from all previous liens and claims of ownership. From the proceeds of the sale of the abandoned boat, the Commission or the salvor, as applicable, shall be reimbursed for the cost of towing, storage, notice, publication, mailing and costs of the auction. The remainder of the proceeds of the sale shall be forwarded to the Commission, which shall hold them for 60 days from the date of sale for claim by the registered owner or lienholder. If the proceeds are not claimed, they shall be deposited in the Boat Fund for use of the Commonwealth.
(8) If an unclaimed abandoned boat is valueless except for salvage, the salvor in possession shall apply to the Commission for a salvor’s certificate of title, and, upon issuance of the same, the salvor may destroy, dismantle, salvage or recycle the boat and retain any proceeds realized therefrom to offset the costs of towing, storage, notice, publication and mailing. Issuance by the Commission of a salvor’s certificate of title shall divest all rights, title and interest in the boat of the registered owner and all lienholders.
(9) The Commonwealth, its agencies and political subdivisions may acquire title to any boat abandoned on areas under their ownership or control by proceeding in the manner set forth in subsection (b) or may follow the procedure set forth in this subsection. The Federal government may acquire title to any boat abandoned on areas under its ownership or control by proceeding in the manner set forth in subsection (b), may follow the procedure set forth in this subsection or may follow applicable Federal laws or regulations.
Authority The provisions of this § 93.110 amended under the Fish and Boat Code, 30 Pa.C.S. § 5325.
Source The provisions of this § 93.110 amended September 29, 2000, effective September 30, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 5013. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (239849) to (239852).
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