Sec. 30. (a) A person may not abandon a watercraft at any time on Indiana water. A watercraft found unattended in a sunken, beached, or drifting condition is considered to have been abandoned by the owner. In the interest of public safety, such a watercraft may be removed and impounded for safekeeping and disposal in accordance with the following:
(1) Abandoned watercraft may be impounded by any law enforcement officer of the department when located on public water.
(2) The owner of an impounded watercraft, if determined and located, shall be notified. The owner may redeem the boat by payment of the storage fee, if any, plus any expenses incurred by the department in the removal of the watercraft.
(3) If the owner of an impounded watercraft cannot be found, the impounded watercraft shall be held at a place of safekeeping for at least ninety (90) days.
(4) A watercraft unclaimed by the owner at the expiration of the period prescribed by subdivision (3) shall be destroyed or sold at public auction.
(5) All money received from the sale at public auction of a watercraft under subdivision (4) shall be deposited in the fish and wildlife fund.
(b) The department and the department's employees are not liable for any damages caused by an abandoned watercraft or incurred to the watercraft during or after the removal of the watercraft from public water.
[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-64.]
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.
Structure Indiana Code
Title 14. Natural and Cultural Resources
Article 15. Regulation of Water Recreation
Chapter 3. Watercraft Operation
14-15-3-1. "Small Lake" Defined
14-15-3-2. Unlawful Operation Prohibited
14-15-3-3. Careful and Prudent Operation
14-15-3-5. Operation of Unsafe Boats Prohibited
14-15-3-6. Dangerous Operation Prohibited
14-15-3-9. Restrictions on Operation on Boundary Lakes
14-15-3-10. Small Lakes; Speed Limit
14-15-3-11. Small Lakes; Exemption From Speed Limit
14-15-3-12. Small Lakes; Rescission or Amendment of Exemption From Speed Limit
14-15-3-12.5. Effect of Certain Exemptions to Motorboat Speed Limits
14-15-3-13. Exemption From Boat Speed Limits
14-15-3-15. Hazardous Wake or Wash Prohibited
14-15-3-16. Circular Operation of Motorboats Around Fishers or Swimmers Prohibited
14-15-3-17. Minimum Distance From Shore Lines
14-15-3-18. Adoption of Rules Regarding State or Federally Financed Lakes and Reservoirs
14-15-3-19. Applicability of Chapter to Towed Persons or Objects
14-15-3-20. Towing of Persons or Objects
14-15-3-23. Load and Horsepower Safe Capacity
14-15-3-24. Occupants on Gunwales or Bow Decking Prohibited
14-15-3-25. Mooring to or Tampering With Navigational AIDS
14-15-3-26. Anchoring So as to Interfere With Traffic
14-15-3-28. Permitting Unlawful Operation
14-15-3-29. Unauthorized Possession or Operation