Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Abandoned Boats

THESE VESSELS ARE NOT FOR SALE OR CLAIM - This process is open only to the Party with Standing, the vessel owner, and any bona fide lienholder or holder of a security interest.  The vessels listed below are not available to the general public for sale or for claim.  
NEW: DEEP offers the following clarification regarding the presumption that a vessel   “left at a storage facility, repair facility or other commercial facility for more than one year since receipt of the last full payment by such facility” is abandoned in accordance with Section 15-140c(a)(4) of the Connecticut General Statutes (“CGS”). 1. The presumption must be supported by an initial and final certification or affidavit from the party with standing further establishing the facts of the reported abandonment.  The Commissioner may seek financial information, including invoices, proof of payment, account status etc. from the party with standing that filed the Notice of Abandoned Vessel or from the vessel owner.  

2. A vessel owner may rebut the presumption of vessel abandonment by (1) notifying in writing both DEEP and the Party with Standing that the vessel owner did not and does not intend to abandon the subject vessel and, (2) establishing that any account balance with the Party with Standing that filed the Notice of Abandoned Vessel is not more than one-year past due at the time the Notice of Abandoned Vessel was filed or at any time prior to the ownership transfer date of the vessel as established by the Commissioner pursuant to Section 15-140c of the CGS.

3. The vessel owner and the Party with Standing shall notify DEEP of any attempted or accepted payment.  Should DEEP determine that such payment or offer of payment was valid and that such payment or offer of payment was or would have been sufficient to bring the balance owed on the vessel to not more than one-year past due, DEEP shall consider the matter closed and shall not reconsider a subsequent filing for abandonment for the same vessel due to non-payment of storage fees until six months have elapsed since such closure.  

Vessels presumed to be abandoned at a mooring will be handled in a similar manner to determine whether a mooring payment is more than 60-days past due in accordance with Section 15-140c(a)(3) of the CGS.

Initial Certification
Final Certification

The Abandoned Boat Process

Under Section 15-140c of the CGS, an aggrieved person, or “Party with Standing”, submits a Notice of Abandoned Vessel along with a fee to the DEEP.  The DEEP will make all the necessary checks and contacts required under the law.  In general, if the vessel is not removed from the property of the Party with Standing within 45 days, the law will award ownership of the vessel to that person.  The Party with Standing is then responsible for the disposition of the vessel. - NO MORE THAN THREE VESSELS AT ONE TIME:  Any person, business or other organization may have no more than three abandoned vessels in process at any given time, and users are asked to allow all three to finish processing before submitting additional abandoned vessels.  The Department will return to the applicant any application that exceeds the three vessel limit.   - VESSELS ARE NOT FOR SALE:  This process is open only to the Party with Standing, the vessel owner, and any bona fide lienholder or holder of a security interest.  The vessels listed below are not available for sale.
When is a vessel considered abandoned?
In Connecticut, a vessel is considered abandoned if it is: • Left on someone’s property for more than 24-hours without the property owner’s permission; • Found free floating and unattended on the waters of the state for more than 24-hours (you should note the position of the vessel and notify DEEP Emergency Dispatch at 860-424-3333 before taking the vessel into custody); • Improperly registered and left on the waters of the state for more than 24-hours (this provision is intended for police or government use); • Left at a mooring for more than sixty days since payment for the mooring became overdue; (this provision is intended for municipal or harbormaster use) • Left at a commercial facility for more than one year since payment for storage became overdue; or,
• Found during a declared public emergency in a public right-of-way.
Who has the right or "standing" to submit a Notice of Abandoned Vessel?
The law designates the following as having standing:

• The owner of the property where the vessel was abandoned OR any person that the landowner designates to complete the abandoned vessel process;
• Any harbormaster, police department, municipality or agent of the state that agrees to process the abandoned vessel;
• Any emergency responder who is responding to a declared emergency; or,
• Any licensed motor vehicle dealer or marine salvager who is engaged by one of these persons to tow or transport an abandoned vessel.
How do I submit a Notice of Abandoned Vessel?
To submit a Notice of Abandoned Vessel you must:

1. Have standing as designated by statute and described above,
2. Fill out a Notice of Abandoned Vessel form and have it notarized, and
3. Submit the notarized form and any required attachments including photographs to the DEEP with a $20 non-refundable fee.
 
If the abandoned vessel is not removed from the property where it was abandoned within approximately 45 days after information about the vessel’s abandonment is posted on the DEEP website, the Party with Standing will be awarded ownership of the vessel. The Party with Standing may then keep, sell, or otherwise dispose of the vessel.
 
All vessels that are reported as abandoned will be listed in the abandoned vessel table.  The table will identify, among other things, the last date the vessel may be claimed by the owner or by someone with a lien on the vessel or a security interest in the vessel.  If one of these persons commits to removing the vessel but cannot do so by the “Last Date to Claim Vessel”, that person has the right to ask for the date to be extended. In addition, the Commissioner may extend the date if more time to process a case is necessary. If this happens, an explanation as to why an extension was granted will be added to the table on the DEEP website.

Vessel Liens and Security Interests

Please note that there are safeguards built into the processing of abandoned vessels to protect the interests of lien-holders or holders of security interests.  These safeguards require that various contacts be attempted or made if the abandoned vessel is subject to a lien or security interest.  Posting of an abandoned vessel on the DEEP website may be delayed while these contacts are attempted.  

- VESSEL OWNERSHIP TRANSFERS ARE FINAL: Persons who are considering submitting a Notice of Abandoned Vessel are advised to be prepared to receive ownership of the abandoned vessel and to deal with any associated complications arising from acquiring ownership.
 
- BOAT TRAILERS ARE NOT PART OF THIS PROCESS:  This process does not deal in any way with abandoned vessel trailers.  For information about abandoned trailers please contact the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Special Rules for Vessels That Are or Were USCG-Documented:

“Documented” vessels are vessels that are or were numbered (registered) with the Coast Guard. They are larger vessels that will likely have a name and hailing port painted on the back of the vessel, and are unlikely to have a “CT” registration number on the front but they may still display a Connecticut registration decal.  There are special rules for dealing with an abandoned vessel that is or was documented.  If you are unsure if the vessel you are dealing with is or was documented, feel free to call us at (860) 447-4354.

In order to process a Notice of Abandoned Vessel for a vessel that was previously documented with the United States Coast Guard, it will be necessary for you to obtain an Abstract of the Title from the United States Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC). The Abstract of the Title will cost you $25 and will take a week or two to receive. Please obtain the Abstract of Title prior to submitting your Notice of Abandoned Vessel, then contact us at (860) 447-4354.
 
An Abstract of Title can be ordered through the NVDC at www.uscg.mil/nvdc/
The NVDC can be reached by telephone at 1-800-799-8362- CURRENTLY DOCUMENTED VESSELS: This law cannot be used for abandoned vessels that are currently documented with the United States Coast Guard, except that the owners of these vessels can still be fined for abandoning the vessel. It is unnecessary to file a Notice of Abandoned Vessel in this case. Contact your locate police. The fine for abandoning a vessel is $440.00. 

- FEDERAL TAX LIENS: From time to time an abandoned vessel is found to be subject to a federal tax lien.  The DEEP Boating Division has no authority to discharge a vessel from a federal tax lien through the abandoned vessel process.  The DEEP Boating Division will notify a party with standing if an abandoned vessel is found to be subject to a federal tax lien.  Parties with standing seeking to take ownership of an abandoned vessel that is subject to a federal tax lien will be responsible for working with the IRS upon transfer of the vessel to formally discharge the vessel from the lien.   Parties with standing will be required to sign an acknowledgement of the lien prior to transfer.   A party with standing may choose to withdraw a vessel from the abandoned boat process at any time prior to being issued a Notice of Assumed Ownership.


Notice of Abandoned Vessel

Abandoned Vessel Law - Public Act 14-57 

Section 15-140c of CGS
Vessel Liens:
Section 49-55s of CGS
UCC Filing Form
UCC Filing Online
Vessels Reported Abandoned *This table may not be visible on some mobile devices.
 
Registration
Number and/ or Hull Identification Number *
(Select the photograph to view larger image)
File
Number
Make/ Model 
Length
Primary
Color 
Town and
Waterbody Nearest
Vessel
Location
Start Date/
Last Date for Owner to Claim Vessel
NY7394GS / Unknown
imageofanabandonboat 
23-001   Morgan / Sailboat 36'  White 

NORWALK/
LONG ISLAND SOUND

Jan. 24, 2023 / 
March 10, 2023

CT1695BK / OUXDA625H304
imageofanabandonboat 
23-009   MACKEIL / Cruzer  32'  Blue BRIDGEPORT/
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
May 20, 2023 /
Aug. 20, 2023
 CT6965BG / JBS20012H495
imageofanabandonboat
23-085   Jones Bros. / Cape  20' Yellow  ROWAYTON /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
Oct. 18, 2023 /
Dec. 2, 2023 
 CT2690AF / BPID34STF585
imageofanabandonboat
24-014  Bayliner / Ciera  25'  White  GALES FERRY /
THAMES RIVER 
Jan. 25, 2024 /
March 10, 2024 
 CT6427BK / DP515982
imageofanabandonboat
 24-022  Pearson / Unknown 24'  Blue   GREENWICH /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
 HOLD
 None / 3155
imageofanabandonboat
24-026  Lincoln / Canoe  16'  Green  GRISWOLD /
HOPEVILLE POND 
Feb. 8, 2024 /
March 25, 2024 
CT9480BJ / FGBR1029A404
imageofanabandonboat 
24-032  Chaparral / 265 SSI  26'  Black   NORWALK /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
March 2, 2024 /
May 20, 2024 
 None / None
imageofanabandonboat
24-036  Starcraft / Rowboat   12'  White OLD LYME /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
May 30, 2024 /
July 14, 2024 
DO574383 / TRJ064061075
imageofanabandonboat 
24-045   Trojan / F 32 32'  White  CHESTER /
CONNECTICUT RIVER 
HOLD
 CT7370AE  / “Christopher Robin”
imageofanabandonboat
 24-050  CAL / 30 30'  White  BRIDGEPORT /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
 June 11, 2024 /
July 25, 2024
DO600238 / None, aka “Old Hatt”
imageofanabandonboat 
 24-052 Hatteras / Unknown  41'  White  PORTLAND /
CONNECTICUT RIVER 
 June 5, 2024 /
July 20, 2024
CT3990BA / CPDE0657M78J
imageofanabandonboat 
24-055  Cape Dory / CD 25  24'10"   White NEW LONDON /
THAMES RIVER 
June 26,2024 /
Aug. 12, 2024 
 NJ9406FG  / FGBL2715E585
imageofanabandonboat
 24-057 Chaparral / Unknown   18’6” White  WESTBROOK /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
 June 12, 2024 /
July 27, 2024
CT6490AR / VKY404560874 aka "Gaff Off" 
imageofanabandoonboat
 24-058  Viking / Sport Fish   40'  Blue  NEW LONDON /
THAMES RIVER
 June 14, 2024 / 
July 29, 2024
CT5882BE/
AQABBA50I001
image of abandoned vessel 24-064
24-064
 Aquasport/Osprey 20'
White
LITCHFIELD/
BANTAM LAKE
July 16, 2024/
Aug. 30, 2024
 CT5169BF/
SERT8051K001

 24-065 Searay/240 DA
 33' 6"
White
 CLINTON/
LONG ISLAND SOUND
HOLD
 CT2702AK/
BWC1848HG788
image of abandoned vessel 24-067
 24-067  Boston Whaler/Sport
 15' 3"
White
 ESSEX/
CONNECTICUT RIVER
 July 15, 2024/
Aug. 29, 2024
CT6853AN/
STRL58YFB292
image of abandoned vessel 24-069
24-069
Starcraft/191ELI
 19'  White TORRINGTON/
NAUGATUCK RIVER
July 29, 2024/
Sept. 12, 2024
CT9725S/
GALSV583M79H
image of abandoned vessel 24-069
 24-070 Galaxy/1000BR
 19'  Gray  TORRINGTON/
NAUGATUCK RIVER
 July 29, 2024/
Sept. 12, 2024
 CT8351BA / SEAH2713M81F
imageofanabandonboat
24-071   Sea Nymph / Unknown 16'  Green  NORTH STONINGTON /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
 July 11, 2024 /
Aug. 25, 2024
 CT8787BK/
MOC39042C989

24-072
Mainship/Mediterranean
40'
White
 NEW LONDON/
THAMES RIVER
July 11, 2024/
Aug. 25, 2024
 CT4499BM/
SERA3674E586
image of abandoned vessel
 24-073  Sea Ray/ Weekender  26'  Beige CLINTON/ LONG ISLAND SOUND  Aug. 2, 2024/
Sept. 16, 2024 
 CT1558BA/
EKHF1995D404
image of abandoned vessel
 24-074  Carolina Skiff / Skiff 14'  White  CLINTON / 
LONG ISLAND SOUND
Aug. 2, 2024 / 
Sept. 16, 2024 

 RI8148N / XLDABL54A494
imageofanabandonboat

24-075  Excel / Unknown  18'  White  WILLIMANTIC /
SHETUCKET RIVER 
 July 11, 2024 /
Oct. 25, 2024
 CT4532BB/
ROBH0130B606
image of abandoned vessel 24-076
24-076
Robalo/240CC
 24' Black
 NORWALK/
LONG ISLAND SOUND
 July 24, 2024/
Sept. 12, 2024
NY0850JZ/
LAR17599G889
image of abandoned vessel 24-077
24-077
 Larson/Unknown 20'
 White LITCHFIELD/
BANTAM LAKE
 July 22, 2024/
Sept. 10, 2024
 DO566632/
Unknown ("Impetuous")
image of abandoned vessel 24-078
24-078
 C & C/Sailboat
27'
White
 STAMFORD/
LONG ISLAND SOUND
July 22, 2024/
Sept. 10, 2024
 CT2654X/
25393
Image of abandoned vessel
 24-079  Boston Whaler/
Montauk
 13' White  MILFORD/ 
LONG ISLAND SOUND
 Aug. 1, 2024/ 
Sept. 15, 2024
 CT2232AS/
CRS6394BD787
image of abandoned boat
 24-080  Cruisers Yachts/
Elegan
 28’8”  White  NEW HAVEN/ 
LONG ISLAND SOUND
July 29, 2024/ 
Sept. 30, 2024 
 CT8603P/
1329
image of abandoned of vessel
 24-081  Columbia / Sloop 22'  Blue/White STAMFORD/ 
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
Aug. 1, 2024/ 
Sept. 15, 2024 
 CT1623AN/
CCY352410174
image of abandoned boat
 24-083  C&C/
Sailboat
 35’7”  Blue NEW LONDON/ 
THAMES RIVER 
 Aug. 8, 2024/ 
Sept. 22, 2024
 CT7993AX/
HUN23662D686
Image of abandoned boat
 24-085  Hunter/
Sailboat
 23’3” White   STAMFORD/ 
LONG ISLAND SOUND
 Aug. 5, 2024/ 
Sept. 19, 2024
 CT219AE/
LARF6256M84E
image of abandoned boat
 24-086 Larson/
Delta 8 
 25' Red BRANFORD/ 
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
 Aug. 8, 2024/ 
Sept. 22, 2024
 CT6498BA/
STN64402B585
image of abandoned boat
 24-087  Silverton/
CABINCRU
 34' White   BRANFORD/ 
LONG ISLAND SOUND
 Aug. 24, 2024/ 
Oct. 8, 2024
 MS1964BL/
MSZ03061C092
image of abanonded boat
 24-088  Pearson/
Sailboat
 26'  White BRIDGEPORT/ 
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
 Aug.7, 2024/ 
Sept. 21, 2024
 DO1028054/
HATAM5100578
image of abandoned boat
 24-089  Hatteras/
53
 53' White  BRANFORD/ 
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
 Aug.8, 2024/ 
Sept. 22, 2024
 NJ7633GR/
CT0021600273
image of abandoned boat
 24-093  
Correct Craft/
Unknown
 18' Blue BATTERSON PARK POND/
NEW BRITAIN
Aug.16, 2024 / 
Oct. 5, 2024 
 CT5233AA / STRF44450380
imageofanabandonboat
24-094   Starcraft / Sealit 14'   Green  ELLINGTON /
SHENIPSIT LAKE
 Aug. 21, 2024 /
Oct. 25, 2024
 CT4838BC / WELC2924B787
imageofanabandonboat
24-096   Wellcraft / Grandspo 34'   White  CHESTER /
CONNECTICUT RIVER
 Sept. 3, 2024 /
Oct. 18, 2024
 PA3802DZ / SERF4596J485
imageofanabandonboat
24-097  Searay / Unknown   36'  White

CHESTER /

CONNECTICUT RIVER 

Sept. 23, 2024 /

Nov. 7, 2024 

 CT300AE/
XDYU0240M84F
image of abandoned boat
 24-098  O’Day/
O’Day 34
34'  White  MYSTIC/ 
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
Aug. 29, 2024/ 
Oct. 13, 2024 
 CT1882AR/
CCH08240M78D
image of abandoned boat
 24-099  Chris Craft/
Unknown
33'  White  CHESTER/ 
CONNECTICUT RIVER
 Aug. 29, 2024/ 
Oct. 13, 2024
 DO901633/
VKY41819E686
image of abandoned boat
 24-100  Viking/
Unknown
41'  White  MYSTIC/ 
LONG ISLAND SOUND
Aug. 30, 2024/ 
Oct. 14, 2024 
 VI5478TC/
XTM10019D414
image of abandoned boat
 24-101  Budget Marine Virgin Islands/
Inflatable
 12'  Gray  MYSTIC/ 
LONG ISLAND SOUND
 Aug. 30, 2024/ 
Oct. 14, 2024
 CT6983AL / STEH4546H889
imageofanabandonboat
 24-102 Skeeter / SD80   15'3" White  GRISWOLD /
HOPEVILLE POND 
Sept. 6, 2024 /
Oct. 21, 2024 
NY7092UR / BNZ1N127B797
imageofanabandonboat 
24-103  Stratos / Unknown  21'  White   LITCHFIELD /
BANTAM LAKE
Aug. 31, 2024 /
Oct. 25, 2024 
 CT6084AY/
YAMA2134F202
image of abandoned boat
 24-104  Yamaha/
XA800AA
 10’5"  White/Red  ELLINGTON/ 
SHENIPSIT LAKE
Sept. 1, 2024/ 
Oct. 16, 2024 
 CT6085AY/
YAMA3522E202
image of abandoned boat
 24-105  Yamaha/
XA1200AA
  10’5"  White/Blue  ELLINGTON/ 
SHENIPSIT LAKE
 Sept. 1, 2024/ 
Oct. 16, 2024 
 CT3253AK / Unknown
imageofanabandonboat
24-106  Stingray / SVB 176  17'3"  White  BERLIN /
SILVER LAKE 
 Sept. 16, 2024 /
Oct. 31, 2024
 NY8387MB / SERT6142B505
imageofanabandonboat
24-108  Sea Ray / Unknown  37'   White NORWALK /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
Sept. 19, 2024 /
Nov. 8, 2024 
DO531662 / Unknown
imageofanabandonboat 
24-109  Grand Banks / Trawler   30' Grey  GROTON /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
Sept. 30, 2024 /
Nov. 14, 2024 
CT6727AE / LARF1409M82B
imageofanabandonboat 
24-112   Larson / Nantucket 19’6”  Tan  NIANTIC /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
Oct. 8, 2024 /
Nov. 22, 2024 
FL2551DP / CBA12001M80A
20', Cobia / Vantage
24-113  Cobia / Vantage   20' White   NIANTIC /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
 Oct. 19, 2024 /
Dec. 3, 2024
 NY2604JU / BWCK7410L687
17', Boston Whaler Montauk
24-116  Boston Whaler / Montauk 17   17'  White BRANFORD /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
 Oct. 25, 2024 /
Dec. 19, 2024
None / CLW03024M84F
11', C and L Boatworks Echo 223 
24-119  C&L Boatworks / Echo 223   11' Blue  VOLUNTOWN /
PACHAUG POND 
Oct. 25, 2024 /
Dec. 14, 2024 
 RI 4 (Partial)  / Unknown
11'2", Unknown Dinghy
24-120  Unknown / Dinghy   11'2" White  VOLUNTOWN /
PACHAUG POND 
Oct. 25, 2024 /
Dec. 14, 2024 
Unknown / Unknown
21', Grady White Gulfstream 205
24-121  Grady White / Gulfstream 205
21'  White EAST HADDAM /
CONNECTICUT RIVER
Oct. 25, 2024 /
Dec. 14, 2024
* The hull identification number, documentation number or vessel name and hailing port may be shown in lieu of a registration number.
Contact DEEP regarding a listed vessel by email or phone 860-434-8638.

Content last updated October 29, 2024