Oklahoma § 63-4217 - Abandonment of vessel - Removal

§ 63-4217. Abandonment of vessel - Removal

A. It shall be unlawful to abandon a vessel on the waters of

this state or other public property. Any officer of the Department

of Public Safety or any other law enforcement agency shall deem a

vessel abandoned and shall have authority to remove or direct the

removal of a vessel when found upon any portion of the waters of

this state or other public property, if, after a period of forty-

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 63. Public Health and Safety

eight (48) hours, there is no evidence of an apparent owner who

intends to remove the vessel. Any law enforcement officer prior to

removing such vessel shall attempt to notify the owner of such

vessel if the vessel has an identification number registered in this

state or if the name and address of the owner is attached to such

vessel.

B. If such officer has reasonable cause to believe a vessel has

been abandoned in a location which would be hazardous to the free

flow of traffic or would be highly susceptible to damage from

vandalism or other harm, he shall have authority to remove or direct

the removal of the vessel immediately. At the time of ordering the

removal of an abandoned vessel, the authorizing officer shall also

determine the sale value of the vessel and certify that amount on

the removal order.

C. Any officer of the Department of Public Safety is hereby

authorized to cause to be removed any vessel found upon the waters

of this state or any other public property when:

1. Report has been made that such vessel has been stolen or

taken without the consent of its owner;

2. The officer has reason to believe the vessel has been

abandoned as defined in this section;

3. The person operating or in control of such vessel is

arrested for an alleged offense for which the officer is required by

law to take the person arrested or summoned before a proper

magistrate without unnecessary delay;

4. At the scene of an accident, when the owner or operator is

not in a position to take charge of his vessel and direct or request

proper removal; or

5. When a vessel and/or motor registration is thirty (30) days

past the date of expiration.

Such officer may ensure the safe removal of said vessel by use of a

trailer.

Added by Laws 1989, c. 346, § 69, emerg. eff. June 3, 1989. Amended

by Laws 1992, c. 284, § 56, eff. Jan. 1, 1993; Laws 2002, c. 66, §

3.