Boat left on the side of the freeway, can I take it?

[xoxxx]

A boat came off of its trailer on the interstate and has been sitting there for a couple of days.
If nobody take the boat, is it legal for me to haul it off myself?

State: AL

Thanks!




Edit: Listing of laws on abandoned boats here- http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/projects/pdfs/advlaws09.pdf

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Boat left on the side of the freeway, can I take it?

No way its legal. Not after a few days time. Even boats sitting under water for years and then salvaged by people are usually huge pains in the butt to gain lawful ownership of.

 

[xoxxx]

Re: Boat left on the side of the freeway, can I take it?

No way its legal. Not after a few days time. Even boats sitting under water for years and then salvaged by people are usually huge pains in the butt to gain lawful ownership of.

I see. I know there are laws on cars, I believe after 90 days here its a free for all. Was curious if there is anything similar for boats.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Boat left on the side of the freeway, can I take it?

Somebody is trying to figure out how they are going to fetch their boat. Maybe they should give it a bit more priority, but maybe there is good reason why they can't get it.

No offense, but its not yours. Don't even think again about taking it.

Sea ya...

 

[rallyart]

Re: Boat left on the side of the freeway, can I take it?

Your car is in the parking lot. Can I take it?

Think before you post.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Boat left on the side of the freeway, can I take it?

Call the appropriate law enforcement agency that is responsible for that portion of the interstate and request salvage rights. There will be paperwork to fill out and you'll be required to store the boat safely in an authorized storage area (might be your garage or yard) for a predetermined period of time. If no one claims the boat before the period of time expires you can request a salvage title. The terminology used in your state and the requirements might be slightly different but the process is essentially the same. What the heck, if you don't some salvage yard will and charge the poor guy that lost it an arm and a leg in 10x normal towing and storage fees.

Its a risk in that you might spend some money you won't get back but if the owner is a decent person they'll probably be happy to pay you for saving their boat.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Boat left on the side of the freeway, can I take it?

Call the appropriate law enforcement agency that is responsible for that portion of the interstate and request salvage rights. There will be paperwork to fill out and you'll be required to store the boat safely in an authorized storage area (might be your garage or yard) for a predetermined period of time. If no one claims the boat before the period of time expires you can request a salvage title. The terminology used in your state and the requirements might be slightly different but the process is essentially the same. What the heck, if you don't some salvage yard will and charge the poor guy that lost it an arm and a leg in 10x normal towing and storage fees.

You're probably right. But that has always sounded like legal dishonesty to me.

Sea ya...

 

[xoxxx]

Re: Boat left on the side of the freeway, can I take it?

i found all of the laws for alabama right here:
http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/projects/pdfs/advlaws09.pdf


Complicated, but yes it is possible.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Boat left on the side of the freeway, can I take it?

Maybe the boat belongs to the state patrol, and they have a radar gun inside, and a trooper waiting a mile down the road.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Boat left on the side of the freeway, can I take it?

Assuming--yeah, I know what assuming does-- But if the boat came off at speed, there is liable to be a lot of damage. Why would you want that. A free boat 'aint so very free.

If it came off at the side of the road, and is not damaged, the owner had trouble with the trailer and needed to unload to get the trailer repaired.

Third scenario. Owner removed all identification numbers and didn't want to pay to junk the hull. Again, why would you want it?

In any case, forget about it. It is either not yours or not worth it. let the state worry about disposing it.