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Delaware Code Title 23. Navigation and Waters § 1304. Vessels and property relating to vessels adrift or abandoned on private property

Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) Abandoned vessels and property relating to vessels on the strand on private property, such as private waters, private subaqueous land, private marinas, private docks, and private boatyards, may be seized, removed, transported, preserved, stored, and disposed of by the Department pursuant to the provisions of this chapter upon written request to the Department by the private property owner, if the Department receives funding to provide such a service.

(b) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to:

(1) A vessel whose owner has not complied with the terms of a financial agreement to pay docking, mooring, storage, or similar fees at a private marina, dock, boatyard, or other nautical facility, yet allows the vessel to remain at the marina, dock, boatyard, or other facility;

(2) A vessel whose owner trespasses on private property by leaving that owner’s vessel in another person's boat slip or dockspace without the permission of the other person.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Delaware Code Title 23. Navigation and Waters § 1304. Vessels and property relating to vessels adrift or abandoned on private property - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/de/title-23-navigation-and-waters/de-code-sect-23-1304/

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