Sunken boat rules.

[dmontzsta]

Just wondering, how things would work if an owner sinks their boat and decides they dont want to bring it up. Can you go in and have it pulled up without contacting the owner? or what if you find out about a boat that has been underwater for a good bit and you have no idea who the owner is? anyone have a clue? I am just curious, I have no plans on bringing up a sunken boat.

[wsuwrhr]

"Acceptance" is the man here for underwater salvage questions.
Brian
Originally posted by dmontzsta
Just wondering, how things would work if an owner sinks their boat and decides they dont want to bring it up. Can you go in and have it pulled up without contacting the owner? or what if you find out about a boat that has been underwater for a good bit and you have no idea who the owner is? anyone have a clue? I am just curious, I have no plans on bringing up a sunken boat.

[Infomaniac]

In Oklahoma, it would still belong to the original owner. Does not matter if he intended to bring it up or not. If you bring it up, you just did him a favor.

[Floored]

you ain't gonna sink it and tell wife that you need a new engine now, are you???:rolleyes:

[dmontzsta]

Originally posted by Floored
you ain't gonna sink it and tell wife that you need a new engine now, are you???:rolleyes:
:eek: haha...no way. Just wondering cause I have talked to a few people who have lost bitchen boats and never recovered them. I got a little paranoid and started wondering...what if we have a shortage on v drives, people would have to start digging them up from the bottom of lakes and restoring them or something. :) there are some nice boats at the bottom of most lakes.

[coolchange]

The last time I talked to an "official" Castaic had over 450 boats in it not on it. I personally know of some pretty badass ones down there.

[wsuwrhr]

Originally posted by coolchange
The last time I talked to an "official" Castaic had over 450 boats in it not on it. I personally know of some pretty badass ones down there.
Castaic is DEEP, balls deep.
Brian

[dmontzsta]

Time to scuba gear up and head to the bottom, might find the Titanic in that bish. :)

[superdave013]

Originally posted by coolchange
The last time I talked to an "official" Castaic had over 450 boats in it not on it. I personally know of some pretty badass ones down there.
A friends jet boat is sitting around 550' down at Castaic. It was really nice too.

[dmontzsta]

Originally posted by superdave013
A friends jet boat is sitting around 550' down at Castaic. It was really nice too.
Did he get a quote on pulling it up?

[superdave013]

Originally posted by dmontzsta
Did he get a quote on pulling it up?
Yup, and it's still there too.

[Bob Hostetter]

Before my days as a goverment lackie I did some work for banks and insurance companies. Part of that work was finding and floating boats that had been accidently(?) sunk. We used to locate them, float them, run the hull numbers and contact the owners, banks, and insurance companies. They would buy them back from us, and then contact their customers. Something about insurance fraud?
Found a lot of them in perfect shape (other then water damage) with the water drain plugs missing.........I guess sinking them is easier then making the payments sometimes.
550 feet is way too deep for SCUBA gear........!

[Her454]

.......Sooooo, what happens if you lose your boat and the water is too deep or expensive to recover. The water goes down years later and the boat is recoverable or even showing...who does it belong to then..?
This happened at Hogan back in the early 70's. Guy lost a beautiful flat out there and never recovered it. The drought of the late 70's took the water down almost to nothing and it was found... never knew who actually took possession of it but whats the law on that......?

[dmontzsta]

Originally posted by Her454
.......Sooooo, what happens if you lose your boat and the water is too deep or expensive to recover. The water goes down years later and the boat is recoverable or even showing...who does it belong to then..?
This happened at Hogan back in the early 70's. Guy lost a beautiful flat out there and never recovered it. The drought of the late 70's took the water down almost to nothing and it was found... never knew who actually took possession of it but whats the law on that......?
This is exactly what I would like to know. :)

[BigBoyToys]

In California, there is a way that you can get a title on a water vessel through a process called abandonment

[ACCEPTENCE]

Alot of good questions and answers goin on here.
It's only water and depth is not a factor at all. With the right equipment it's just a matter of money at that point.
Side Scan Sonar, Deep video systems and ROV's make all the differance in the world.
As far as who can take possesion of it depends on multiple factors like: location, time laps, interest, intent, enviromental aspects, and how much research and information gathering the person that finds the vessel has obtained.
You would be surprised!!!
I can tell you this: It's not a finders keepers deal, that's for sure.

[MudPumper]

Originally posted by Her454
.......Sooooo, what happens if you lose your boat and the water is too deep or expensive to recover. The water goes down years later and the boat is recoverable or even showing...who does it belong to then..?
This happened at Hogan back in the early 70's. Guy lost a beautiful flat out there and never recovered it. The drought of the late 70's took the water down almost to nothing and it was found... never knew who actually took possession of it but whats the law on that......?
I was wondering this when I found a flatty at lake Mead just on the waters edge. Everything looked as if it was in good condition, it was a complete boat. After the water dropped 80 feet it was out in the sunshine. I wanted to flip it and tow it out of there.

[DeltaSigBoater]

Originally posted by MudPumper
I was wondering this when I found a flatty at lake Mead just on the waters edge. Everything looked as if it was in good condition, it was a complete boat. After the water dropped 80 feet it was out in the sunshine. I wanted to flip it and tow it out of there.
You saw that too huh?