1. A. Definitions

   1. Abandoned Vessel—any vessel that:

      1. a. has remained on or immediately adjacent to private property without the consent of the property owner, agents, lessee, or assigns; or
      2. b. 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
      3. c. is in a wrecked, submerged, inoperative or partially dismantled condition.
   2. Authority—the federal, state, or local governing authority having jurisdiction over any canal, coulee, drainage ditch, outfall canal, bayou, bay, lake, or any other waterway, whether navigable or not, or on the banks thereof within the state of Louisiana as defined in R.S. 34:843.

2. B. Procedure

   1. 1. Obtaining Abandoned Vessel Information

      1. a. Persons attempting to obtain information regarding an abandoned vessel must request vessel information from the department that includes the following:

         1. i. 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,
         2. ii. the parish, waterway, address, and/or any other pertinent information revealing the specific location of the abandoned vessel, and
         3. iii. photographs of the vessel in the above-described location and any and all identifying numbers of the abandoned vessel.
         4. iv. a written statement attesting that the vessel is abandoned as defined in this Section.

   2. 2. Notice to Owner(s) and/or Holders of Security Interests

      1. a. If the vessel has a registration number assigned by the department, or any other state, or if there are any other means of identifying the owner and any lienholder, the Authority must make a good faith effort, by certified mail/return receipt, to notify the owner and any lienholder at their last known address.

   3. 3. Contents of notice must:

      1. a. describe the vessel and include any identifying numbers;
      2. b. give location where vessel is located;
      3. c. inform the owner(s) and any lienholder of a right to reclaim the vessel within 30 days;
      4. d. state that failure to claim the vessel will constitute a waiver of all rights, title and interest in the vessel; and
      5. e. if ownership is not claimed and vessel removed within 30 days after receipt of the letter, the vessel shall be deemed abandoned.

   4. 4. Notice by Publication

      1. a. If the Authority is unable to determine the last registered owner or the identity of any lienholder of the abandoned vessel, or if the certified mail notice is returned "undeliverable," the Authority shall place a notice, to appear at least one day for three consecutive weeks, in the official journal of the parish where the vessel is located.
      2. b. The notice by publication shall contain the information required under Contents of Notice and shall be published within 15 days of the return of the certified mail as undeliverable.

   5. 5. Removal of Abandoned Vessel

      1. a. If the owner or any lienholder fails to claim the vessel within 30 days after the certified mail or after the initial notice by publication is given, the Authority, or an interested third party approved by the Authority may remove the vessel at their own expense and claim ownership.

   6. 6. Application for Registration and Title

      1. a. Once the abandoned vessel is removed, any person in lawful possession of the vessel may apply to the department for registration and title. The application must be accompanied by the following:

         1. i. the completed and notarized affidavit for Registration/ Titling of Abandoned Recreational Vessels;
         2. ii. receipts for certified mail to identified owner and any lienholder or original copies of the notice of publication as required in Subparagraph 4.a. above; and
         3. iii. a 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.
      2. b. If an applicant has purchased, or otherwise came into legal possession, a salvaged vessel from the Authority as outlined in R.S. 34:843, in addition to all items outlined in Subparagraph 6.a. above, they shall provide a bill of sale, act of donation, or other legal transfer of ownership documents from the Authority.

   7. 7. Issuance of Registration and Title

      1. a. Any vessel that has been recovered or salvaged after being deemed abandoned in accordance with this rule and R.S. 34:843 shall be required to be registered and titled before being operated upon the waters of the state.
      2. b. Upon receipt of a completed application and payment of applicable fees, the department shall issue a registration and title in the name of the applicant.
      3. c. All cost incurred in obtaining registration and title shall be borne by the applicant.

   8. 8. Abandoned Vessels on Private Property

      1. a. Private property owners, or their designee, may act independently from the Authority when an abandoned vessel is on or moored to their private property.
      2. b. All procedures described above and outlined in R.S. 34:843 must be adhered to by private property owners, or their designee.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 34:843 and R.S. 34:852.23.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 52:758 (May 2026).