1. (A) It is unlawful for a person to cause or allow a vessel to become an abandoned vessel or a derelict vessel. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars, imprisoned for not more than sixty days, or both. In addition, the person is liable for all costs arising from the removal and disposal of the vessel from the waters of the State, or public property adjacent thereto.
2. (B) It is unlawful for a person to intentionally or recklessly cause a vessel to sink on the waters of the State. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars, imprisoned for not more than sixty days, or both. In addition, the person is liable for all costs arising from the removal and disposal of the vessel from the waters of the State. This subsection does not apply to a person who sinks a vessel pursuant to the department's artificial reef program.
3. (C) Fines collected under this section must be used by the department for the removal and disposal of abandoned vessels, derelict vessels, and sunken vessels.
4. (D) The magistrate court is vested with jurisdiction for cases arising under this article.

HISTORY: 2025 Act No. 22 (S.367), SECTION 1, eff May 8, 2025.