Sec. 15-11a. (Formerly Sec. 15-31). Removal and taking of derelict vessels. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 15-11a. (Formerly Sec. 15-31). Removal and taking of derelict vessels. (a) A duly authorized harbor master shall determine whether a vessel is a derelict vessel. Upon such determination, the Commissioner of Transportation, such harbor master or a duly authorized representative of a municipality may cause such derelict vessel to be removed at the expense of any owner, agent or operator of such derelict vessel and may recover the expense of such removal, together with the costs and expenses incident to such removal, including legal expenses and court costs incurred in such recovery, from the owner, agent or operator of such vessel in an action founded upon this section. The last owner of record of such vessel shall be responsible for such vessel. After consultation with the Commissioner of Transportation, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection may consider any such vessel to be an encroachment subject to the provisions of sections 22a-359 to 22a-363f, inclusive.

      (b) Prior to removing and taking such derelict vessel into custody, the Commissioner of Transportation, a duly authorized harbor master or a duly authorized representative of a municipality shall make a reasonable attempt to notify the owner, agent or operator of the vessel and shall allow such owner, agent or operator to make arrangements for removal of the vessel. Such notification shall inform the owner, agent or operator that, pursuant to this section, if the vessel is not removed within twenty-four hours of notification, it shall be removed, taken into custody and stored at the owner's, agent's or operator's expense.

      (c) Prior to removing a derelict vessel, the Commissioner of Transportation, a duly authorized harbor master or a duly authorized representative of a municipality shall affix to such vessel a readily visible notification sticker. The notification sticker shall contain the following information: (1) The date and time the notification sticker was affixed to the vessel, (2) a statement that, pursuant to this section, if the vessel is not removed within twenty-four hours of the time the sticker was affixed, it shall be taken into custody and stored at the owner's expense, (3) the location and telephone number where additional information may be obtained, and (4) the identity of the person who affixed the sticker.

      (d) If the derelict vessel is not removed by the owner, agent or operator within the time period provided in subsection (c) of this section, the Commissioner of Transportation, a duly authorized harbor master or a duly authorized representative of a municipality may direct that such vessel be removed and taken into custody and may cause the same to be stored in a suitable place.

      (e) If a derelict vessel is removed and taken into custody pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the Commissioner of Transportation, a duly authorized harbor master or a duly authorized representative of a municipality shall give written notice, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner, agent or operator of such vessel, if known, which notice shall state: (1) The vessel has been removed, taken into custody and stored, (2) the location from which the vessel was removed, and (3) that the vessel may be disposed of after fifteen days if the market value of such vessel, as determined by a certified marine surveyor, does not exceed two thousand dollars or that the vessel may be sold after ninety days, pursuant to the provisions of subsection (f) of this section.

      (f) Ninety days or more after written notice has been given pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, the Commissioner of Transportation, a duly authorized harbor master or a duly authorized representative of a municipality may sell a derelict vessel at public auction in accordance with the provisions of this section. The commissioner, harbor master or authorized agent of a municipality shall apply the proceeds of such sale toward the payment of its charges, any storage charges and the payment of any debt or obligation incurred by the commissioner, harbor master or agent who placed the vessel in storage. Such sale shall be advertised twice in a newspaper published or having a circulation in the town where such vessel is stored or is located, commencing at least five days before such sale; and, if the last place of abode of the owner, agent or operator of such vessel is known to or ascertained by the commissioner, harbor master or agent by the exercise of reasonable diligence, notice of the time and place of sale shall be given to such owner, agent or operator by sending such notice to the owner, agent or operator, by certified mail, return receipt requested, at such last place of abode at least five days before the day of the sale. The proceeds of such sale, after deducting any amount due for removal and storage charges and all expenses connected with such sale, shall be paid to the owner, agent or operator of such vessel or the owner's, agent's or operator's legal representatives, if claimed by the owner, agent or operator or the owner's, agent's or operator's legal representative at any time within one year from the date of such sale. If such balance is not claimed within said period, it shall escheat to the municipality from which the vessel was removed. If the expenses incurred by the commissioner, harbor master or agent for such removal and storage and sale of such vessel and any fines exceed the proceeds of such sale, the owner, agent or operator of the vessel shall be liable for such excess expenses.

      (g) The Commissioner of Transportation may require the owner, agent or operator to furnish a performance bond in an amount sufficient to cover the estimated costs of removal as determined by the commissioner.

      (1949 Rev., S. 4779; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 160; P.A. 75-288, S. 1, 2; P.A. 76-277; P.A. 82-191, S. 1; P.A. 98-182, S. 15, 22; P.A. 06-121, S. 2; P.A. 07-232, S. 2, 3.)

      History: 1969 act replaced commissioners of steamship terminals with commissioner of transportation; P.A. 75-288 included agents and operators in provisions; P.A. 76-277 added provisions re removal of vessels, scows, lighters etc. and added Subsec. (b) re permit fees and performance bonds; Sec. 15-31 transferred to Sec. 15-11a in 1979; P.A. 82-191 amended Subsec. (a) to authorize the commissioner of environmental protection, upon consultation with the commissioner of transportation, to consider vessels or similar floating structures to be an encroachment requiring a permit; P.A. 98-182 deleted the requirement for an owner, agent or operator to obtain a permit, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 06-121 amended Subsec. (a) to allow a harbor master to determine whether a vessel is a derelict vessel, to expand the list of who may remove such vessel and to make the last owner of record responsible for such vessel, added new Subsecs. (b) to (f) re required procedure and redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (g), effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 07-232 made technical changes in Subsecs. (b) and (f), effective July 11, 2007.