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”).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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:
- Have standing as designated by statute and described above
- Fill out a Notice of Abandoned Vessel form and have it notarized, and
- 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 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.
Vessel Liens:
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CT6471BJ / L80 |
24-060 | Valentijn / Cormorant | 28’11” | White | STRATFORD / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
June 18, 2024 / Aug. 30, 2025 |
|
FL9447SP / ANGF7056H304 |
24-092 | Angler / Unknown | 27' | Blue | STRATFORD / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
May 22, 2025 / July 16, 2025 |
MS8215BD / ANGW2031F091 |
24-127 | Angler / 220 | 20' | White | BRIDGEPORT / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
Nov. 15, 2024 / Jan. 19, 2025 |
CT6871BD / MNT05268M76F |
25-034 | Manatee / Unknown | 17' | White | NIANTIC / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
April 8, 2025 / May 23, 2025 |
None / None |
25-057 | Columbia / 9.6 | 28' | White | CLINTON / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
June 6, 2025 / Aug. 11, 2025 |
CT8027BE / STRV1034E787 |
25-059 | Starcraft / ASP120 | 16'6" | White | HADDAM / CONNECTICUT RIVER |
June 25, 2025 / Aug. 9, 2025 |
NJ2983AZ / NJZ748220586 |
25-074 | Homemade / Sailboat | 30' | White | WILTON / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
July 24, 2025 / Sept. 7, 2025 |
RI7426BL / SERT5870K394 |
25-080 | Sea Ray / 300 DA | 31' | White | NORWICH /
THAMES RIVER |
Aug. 30, 2025 /
Oct. 14, 2025 |
None/ GAK15029023 |
25-111 | Galilee/ 15 | 15' | White | MORRIS-LITCHFIELD/
BANTAM LAKE |
Oct. 24, 2025 / |
|
MS1701AF / LHR34033M8I |
25-123 | Luhrs / Unknown | 33' | White |
OLD SAYBROOK / |
Nov. 20, 2025/
Jan. 11, 2026 |
CT1109EC / VKY40609M82C |
25-130 | Viking / Sportfisher | 40' | White | BRIDGEPORT / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
Jan. 20, 2026/ March 6, 2026 |
CT1225AW / NTLCX247B989 |
25-138 | Grady-White / Gulfstream | 23' | White | NIANTIC / NIANTIC RIVER |
Jan. 2, 2026/ Feb. 16, 2026 |
CT6104BD / SERT8492I889 |
26-024 | Sea Ray / Sundancer | 30' | White | SHELTON / HOUSATONIC RIVER |
March 17, 2026/ May 1, 2026 |
CT1726BM / LAR852730707 |
26-026 | Larson / Unknown | 18' | White | STAMFORD / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
April 16, 2026/ May 31, 2026 |
CT9126BN / FGB82188K900 |
26-027 | Chaparral / SSE | 20'5" | White | STAMFORD / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
April 16, 2026/ May 31, 2026 |
CT239X / DNC30031M76D |
26-028 | Duranautic / Workboat | 17' | Grey | OLD SAYBROOK / CONNECTICUT RIVER |
HOLD |
CT3044AW / CRS5045BA686 |
26-029 | Cruisers / 260 Holiday | 26' | White | BRANFORD / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
March 31, 2026/ May 15, 2026 |
MD3852AT / Unknown |
26-030 | Morgan / M34 | 34' | Blue | BRANFORD / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
March 30, 2026/ June 5, 2026 |
CT3116AZ / STN31247L687 |
26-031 | Silverton / 31C | 31' | White | OLD SAYBROOK / CONNECTICUT RIVER |
April 7, 2026/ May 22, 2026 |
CT4974BJ / CTYA0013H495 |
26-032 | Catalina / 250 | 25' | White | OLD LYME / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
April 13, 2026/ May 28, 2026 |
CT8145AM / SIG990407B87 |
26-033 | Hobie / Center | 15' | White | BRIDGEPORT / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
May 1, 2026/ June 26, 2026 |
CT6443BJ / PKD25983G112 |
26-034 | Novurania / 31 Chase | 31' | Black | BRIDGEPORT / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
June 3, 2026/ July 20, 2026 |
DO1123093 / XSK01522G001 |
26-036 | Sunseeker / “Ocean Pearl” | 51' | White | NORWALK / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
April 30, 2026/ June 14, 2026 |
DO1028054 / HATAM5100578 |
26-038 | Hatteras / Motor Yacht | 53' | White | BRANFORD / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
May 2, 2026/ June 23, 2026 |
CT5541AE / BL2A51FGI485 |
26-039 | Bayliner / Unknown | 24’4” | White | BRIDGEPORT / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
May 11, 2026/ June 25, 2026 |
RI0684R / NTLB6699I485 |
26-040 | Grady White / Unknown | 19' | White | NORWICH / THAMES RIVER |
May 18, 2026/ July 2, 2026 |
MS2091SC / SERV2348J586 |
26-041 | Sea Ray / Seville | 18' | White | GLASTONBURY / CONNECTICUT RIVER |
May 1, 2026/ June 21, 2026 |
CT3738AJ / LAR14493L788 |
26-042 | Larson / 205 | 19' | White / Red | EAST HARTFORD / CONNECTICUT RIVER |
May 15, 2026/ June 29, 2026 |
CT2537BA / PNYUSTAFF404 |
26-044 | Stingray / 190LS | 19' | White | WEST SUFFIELD / CONGAMOND LAKE |
May 18, 2026/ July 2, 2026 |
CT952BB / MEZG03910070 |
26-045 | Unknown / Rowboat | 12' | White | WEST SUFFIELD / CONGAMOND LAKE |
May 18, 2026/ July 2, 2026 |
CT7367E / None |
26-046 | Alumacraft / Rowboat | 14' | Yellow | WEST SUFFIELD / CONGAMOND LAKE |
May 19, 2026/ July 3, 2026 |
CT5917BN / ZZN31424C202 |
26-047 | SEADOO / GTX | 11' | White | HARTFORD / CONNECTICUT RIVER |
May 15, 2026/ June 29, 2026 |
CT352AX / NJB374109474 |
26-048 | New Jersey Boatworks / 31 Convertible Sedan | 31' | White | SOUTH GLASTONBURY / CONNECTICUT RIVER |
May 15, 2026/ June 29, 2026 |
CT3353AS / XNA30281H586 |
26-049 | Sea Ox / 230C | 23' | White | WESTBROOK / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
May 18, 2026/ July 2, 2026 |
CT3720BD / PLCCD024K697 |
26-050 | Pro Line / 220 Cuddy | 22'7" | White | WESTBROOK / LONG ISLAND SOUND |
May 20, 2026/ July 4, 2026 |
CT4232AE / ZCC303920276 |
26-051 | C&C Yachts / 30 | 30' | White | NEW LONDON / THAMES RIVER |
June 5, 2026/ July 25, 2026 |
CT0099BP / BTY032951272 |
26-052 | Bristol / Sloop | 32' | White | NEW LONDON / THAMES RIVER |
June 5, 2026/ July 20, 2026 |
MS6715JF / SERV2802J495 |
26-053 | Sea Ray / 195 | 19' | White | CHESTER / CONNECTICUT RIVER |
May 21, 2026/ July 5, 2026 |
CT1134BJ / SERF6073C797 |
26-054 | Sea Ray / Sundancer | 37'6" | White | CHESTER / CONNECTICUT RIVER |
May 21, 2026/ July 5, 2026 |
NY4336DG / Unknown |
26-055 | Starcraft / Falcon | 14' | Orange | BROAD BROOK / CONNECTICUT RIVER |
May 26, 2026/ July 10, 2026 |
CT4246AE / SERT36T460484 |
26-056 | Sea Ray / FB30 | 30' | White | CHESTER / CONNECTICUT RIVER |
May 21, 2026/ July 12, 2026 |
MS9042BE / SRTV4971G788 |
26-057 | Starcraft / Unknown | 14' | Red | MOOSUP / MOOSUP POND |
June 5, 2026/ July 25, 2026 |
* 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 June 25, 2026