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Abandoned and Derelict Vessels
Abandoned Vessel
- Any vessel that has remained on or immediately adjacent to private property without the consent of the property owner, agents, lessee, or assigns; or
- has been found adrift or unattended in or upon the land or waters of the state, parish, or municipality for more than 30 days and is found to constitute a hazard or obstruction to the use of the waters of the state or presents a potential health or environmental hazard; or
- is in a wrecked, submerged, inoperative or partially dismantled condition.
How To Obtain Abandoned Vessel Information:
Persons attempting to obtain information regarding an abandoned vessel must request vessel information from the department at ADV@wlf.la.gov. The request must include the following:
- Your full name, address, and date of birth, and
- a certified letter from a federal or local parish governing official having jurisdiction over the waterbody, or banks thereof within the state of Louisiana, and
- Note: Private property owners with abandoned vessels on or moored to their own property; or federal or parish officials in the jurisdiction who are acting on behalf of the governing authority are exempt from this requirement
- a detailed description of the vessel, including make, model, and any identifying number, including registration numbers, decal numbers, hull identification number, or USCG documentation number, and
- the parish, waterway, address, and/or any other pertinent information revealing the specific location of the abandoned vessel, and
- photographs of the vessel in the above-described location and any and all identifying numbers of the abandoned vessel, and
- a written statement attesting that the vessel is abandoned as defined above.
Notice To Owners and or Lien Holders:
If there are any means of identifying the owner and any lienholder of an abandoned vessel, there must be a good faith effort, by certified mail/return receipt, to notify the owner and any lienholder at their last known address.
If an owner or lien holder is unable to be determined, OR if the certified mail notice is returned "undeliverable," a public notice shall be placed, to appear at least one day for three consecutive weeks, in the official journal (news publication) of the parish where the vessel is located within 15 days.
Contents of the Notice:
- Describe the vessel and include any identifying numbers;
- give location where vessel is located;
- inform the owner(s) and any lienholder of a right to reclaim the vessel within 30 days;
- state that failure to claim the vessel will constitute a waiver of all rights, title and interest in the vessel;
- if ownership is not claimed and vessel removed within 30 days after receipt of the letter, the vessel shall be deemed abandoned.
Issuance of New Registration and Title
In order to register AND title a salvaged abandoned vessel, a person must obtain the following and submit to the LDWF Registration office:
- A completed and signed boat registration application provided by the department.
- A completed and notarized “Affidavit for Registration/ Titling of Abandoned Recreational Vessels” provided by the department.
- Receipts for mail to identified owner and any lienholder with a copy of the notice to owner
- OR, if mail was undeliverable or the last registered owner or lienholder could not be identified, original copies of the public notice.
- Certificate of Deletion issued by the U.S. Coast Guard if the vessel bears an official number issued by the Coast Guard or there is other evidence that the vessel was documented by the Coast Guard.
- If other than the salvage person or authority, a bill of sale, act of donation, or other legal transfer of ownership documents from the Authority.