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.

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 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.

Vessels Reported Abandoned
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
28'11", Valentijn Cormorant
24-060 Valentijn / Cormorant 28’11” White STRATFORD /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
June 18, 2024 /
Aug. 30, 2025

FL9447SP / ANGF7056H304
27', Angler

24-092 Angler / Unknown 27' Blue STRATFORD /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
May 22, 2025 /
July 16, 2025
MS8215BD / ANGW2031F091
20', Angler 220
24-127 Angler / 220 20' White BRIDGEPORT /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
Nov. 15, 2024 /
Jan. 19, 2025
CT6871BD / MNT05268M76F
17', Manatee
25-034 Manatee / Unknown 17' White NIANTIC /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
April 8, 2025 /
May 23, 2025
None / None
28', Columbia 9.6
25-057 Columbia / 9.6 28' White CLINTON /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
June 6, 2025 /
Aug. 11, 2025
CT8027BE / STRV1034E787
16'6", Starcraft ASP120
25-059 Starcraft / ASP120 16'6" White HADDAM /
CONNECTICUT RIVER
June 25, 2025 /
Aug. 9, 2025
NJ2983AZ / NJZ748220586
30', Homemade Sailboat
25-074 Homemade / Sailboat 30' White WILTON /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
July 24, 2025 /
Sept. 7, 2025
RI7426BL / SERT5870K394
31', Sea Ray 300 DA
25-080 Sea Ray / 300 DA 31' White NORWICH /

THAMES RIVER

Aug. 30, 2025 /

Oct. 14, 2025

None/ GAK15029023
15', Galilee 15
25-111 Galilee/ 15 15' White MORRIS-LITCHFIELD/

BANTAM LAKE

Oct. 24, 2025 /
Dec. 8, 2025

CT1109EC / VKY40609M82C
40', Viking Sportfisher
25-130 Viking / Sportfisher 40' White BRIDGEPORT /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
Jan. 20, 2026/
March 6, 2026
CT1726BM / LAR852730707
18', Larson
26-026 Larson / Unknown 18' White STAMFORD /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
April 16, 2026/
May 31, 2026
CT9126BN / FGB82188K900
20'5", Chaparral SSE
26-027 Chaparral / SSE 20'5" White STAMFORD /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
April 16, 2026/
May 31, 2026
CT239X / DNC30031M76D
17', Duranautic Workboat
26-028 Duranautic / Workboat 17' Grey OLD SAYBROOK /
CONNECTICUT RIVER
HOLD
CT6443BJ / PKD25983G112
31', Novurania 31 Chase 
 26-034  Novurania / 31 Chase 31'   Black  BRIDGEPORT /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
June 3, 2026/
July 20, 2026 
 CT5917BN / ZZN31424C202
11', SEADOO GTX
26-047   SEADOO / GTX  11'  White HARTFORD /
CONNECTICUT RIVER 
May 15, 2026/
June 29, 2026 
 CT5450BP / YAMA1508A323
11'8", Yamaha FX1800
26-073   Yamaha / FX1800 11'8"   Black  STAMFORD /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
 July 18, 2026/
Sept. 1, 2026
 NY4576GG / CEC14723D212
20'6", Bombardier Challenger 210
26-074  Bombardier / Challenger 210  20'6"  White / Black  STAMFORD /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
July 20, 2026/
Sept. 3, 2026 
 CT9585P / E7032075
32', Luhrs
26-080  Luhrs / Unknown   32'  White  PORTLAND /
CONNECTICUT RIVER
 July 30, 2026/
Sept. 13, 2026
CT9525BJ / GDY43719J718
21'11", Sweetwater SWPE215C4 
26-083   Sweetwater / SWPE215C4  21'11"  White  BROOKFIELD /
CANDLEWOOD LAKE
 July 31, 2026/
Sept. 14, 2026
 CT3151BN / ZTI260601075
26', Tanzer 26
 26-096  Tanzer / 26 26'  Red  STAMFORD /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
Sept. 14, 2026/
Oct. 29, 2026 
 CT3903AZ / XYU3833FI485
38', Ocean Yachts Supersport
26-097   Ocean Yachts / Supersport  38'  White BRIDGEPORT /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
 Aug. 27, 2026/
Oct. 11, 2026
 CT4541BM / CHL031580777
36', Cheoy Lee
26-098  Cheoy Lee / Unknown  36'   White BRIDGEPORT /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
Aug. 22, 2026/
Oct. 6, 2026 
CT9126BG / SERF2064I990
35', Sea Ray 
26-099   Sea Ray / Unknown  35' White  BRIDGEPORT /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
Aug. 24, 2026/
Oct. 8, 2026 
DO1076210 “Yankee” / Unknown
50', Sparkman & Stephens / Sailboat 
26-103  Sparkman & Stephens / Sailboat  50'  Green  BRANFORD /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
Aug. 31, 2026/
Oct. 15, 2026 
 Unknown / GB-SPY46001D302
46'5", Spirit Yacht / 46 ft. MK II
26-105   Spirit Yacht / 46 ft. MK II 46'5"  White  NORWALK /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
HOLD
 CT3890BP / CND35005M73K
35', Concorde / Concorde 35
26-107   Concorde / Concorde 35
 
35'  White  NEW HAVEN /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
 Sept. 15, 2026/
Oct. 30, 2026

CT8584BK / SERV1718K819
29'3", Sea Ray / SDO290

 26-108 Sea Ray / SDO290  29'3"   White  NORWALK /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
Sept. 21, 2026/
Nov. 5, 2026 
CT9207AA / PEU017730581 
15'1", Sea Raider / Mark 1
26-109   Sea Raider / Mark 1 15'1"  Blue   MERIDEN /
CONNECTICUT RIVER
Sept. 26, 2026/
Nov. 10, 2026 
 NY1008UX / PNYUSJH4D101
22', Stingray / 220DS
26-110  Stingray / 220DS   22'  White  MERIDEN /
CONNECTICUT RIVER
 Sept. 21, 2026/
Nov. 5, 2026
None aka “Butterfly” / HMCo#9058 
20'9", Herreshoff / 16’ Fish Class
26-111  Herreshoff / 16’ Fish Class  20'9"  Black  PAWCATUCK /
PAWCATUCK RIVER 
 Sept. 30 , 2026/
Nov. 18, 2026
 CT3693BK / BUJ27543D818
13'10", Tracker / 1036 Topper
26-112  Tracker / 1036 Topper  13'10"  Green   BRISTOL /
CEDAR LAKE
Sept. 29, 2026/
Nov. 13, 2026 
 CT1824BB / MUS03887C898
16', Palm Beach Marine / Unknown
26-113  Palm Beach Marine / Unknown   16' White  NOANK /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
 Sept. 26, 2026/
Nov. 10, 2026
 CT9857AZ / SXSW0585D404
19'7", Sea Hunt / 202CC
26-114  Sea Hunt / 202CC  19'7"  Blue & White   OLD SAYBROOK /
CONNECTICUT RIVER
 Oct. 1, 2026/
Nov. 15, 2026
 CT5126BF / SERM8888L687
25', Sea Ray / Sundancer
26-115  Sea Ray / Sundancer  25'   White OLD SAYBROOK /
CONNECTICUT RIVER 
Oct. 3, 2026/
Nov. 17, 2026 
 NH2535ZL / SERF8668H788
40', Sea Ray
 26-116  Sea Ray / Unknown 40'  White  STAMFORD /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
 Oct. 10, 2026/
Nov. 25, 2026
 CT8737AM / SSU26206M77A
26', S2 Yachts / 26
26-117  S2 Yachts / 26   26' White   NEW HAVEN /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
Oct. 9, 2026/
Nov. 23, 2026 
 CT1623AV / EGH38214J374
38', Egg Harbor / Sportfish
26-118  Egg Harbor / Sportfish  38'  White   OLD SAYBROOK /
CONNECTICUT RIVER
Oct. 13, 2026/
Nov. 27, 2026 
CT4678AD / Unknown
8', Dyer / Dhow 
 26-119 Dyer / Dhow   8'  White  EAST LYME /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
Oct. 13, 2026/
Nov. 27, 2026 
 CT5167BF aka MS3689AK / JTC68160K607
34', Crownline / 340CR
 26-120 Crownline / 340CR  34'  White   BRANFORD /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
 Oct. 21, 2026/
Dec. 5, 2026
Unknown / Unknown 
14', Dixie
26-121  Dixie / Unknown  14'  White   NEWTOWN /
LAKE LILLINONAH
 Oct. 13, 2026/
Nov. 27, 2026
 FL5587SU / SERF0532B505
35', Sea Ray / Sundancer Express
 26-123 Sea Ray / Sundancer Express  35'   Blue BRIDGEPORT /
LONG ISLAND SOUND 
Oct. 28, 2026/
Dec. 12, 2026 
 FL6704RX / SERR7427L304
31', Sea Ray / Sport Cruiser
 26-124 Sea Ray / Sport Cruiser   31'   Blue  BRIDGEPORT /
LONG ISLAND SOUND
Oct. 28, 2026/
Dec. 12, 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 November 6, 2026