---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 4711"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "4711"
heading: "Abandonment of vessels prohibited"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/4711"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 47 — Abandonment of Vessels"
  - "Subchapter II — Non-Barge Vessels"
---

# §4711. Abandonment of vessels prohibited

- (a) **In General.—** An owner or operator of a [covered vessel](/usc/46/4710.md?p=2) may not [abandon](/usc/46/4710.md?p=1) such [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) on the [navigable waters of the United States](/usc/46/2101.md?p=25).
- (b) **Determination of Abandonment.—**
  - (1) **Notification.—**
    - (A) **In general.—** With respect to a [covered vessel](/usc/46/4710.md?p=2) that appears to be abandoned, the [Commandant](/usc/46/2101.md?p=3) of the [Coast Guard](/usc/46/2101.md?p=2) shall—
      - (i) attempt to identify the owner using the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) registration number, hull identification number, or any other information that can be reasonably inferred or gathered; and
      - (ii) notify such owner—
        - (I) of the penalty described in [subsection (c)](#c); and
        - (II) that the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) will be removed at the expense of the owner if the [Commandant](/usc/46/2101.md?p=3) determines that the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) is abandoned and the owner does not remove or account for the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md).
    - (B) **Form.—** The [Commandant](/usc/46/2101.md?p=3) shall provide the notice required under [subparagraph (A)](#b-1-A)—
      - (i) if the owner can be identified, via certified mail or other appropriate forms determined by the [Commandant](/usc/46/2101.md?p=3); or
      - (ii) if the owner cannot be identified, via an announcement in a local publication and on a website maintained by the [Coast Guard](/usc/46/2101.md?p=2).
  - (2) **Determination.—** The [Commandant](/usc/46/2101.md?p=3) shall make a determination not earlier than 45 days after the date on which the [Commandant](/usc/46/2101.md?p=3) provides the notification required under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) of whether a [covered vessel](/usc/46/4710.md?p=2) described in such paragraph is abandoned.
- (c) **Penalty.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The [Commandant](/usc/46/2101.md?p=3) may assess a civil penalty of not more than $500 against an owner or operator of a [covered vessel](/usc/46/4710.md?p=2) determined to be abandoned under [subsection (b)](#b) for a violation of [subsection (a)](#a).
  - (2) **Liability in rem.—** The owner or operator of a [covered vessel](/usc/46/4710.md?p=2) shall also be liable in rem for a penalty imposed under [paragraph (1)](#c-1).
  - (3) **Limitation.—** The [Commandant](/usc/46/2101.md?p=3) shall not assess a penalty if the [Commandant](/usc/46/2101.md?p=3) determines the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) was abandoned due to major extenuating circumstances of the owner or operator of the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md), including long term medical incapacitation of the owner or operator.
- (d) **Vessels Not Abandoned.—** The [Commandant](/usc/46/2101.md?p=3) may not determine that a [covered vessel](/usc/46/4710.md?p=2) is abandoned under this section if—
  - (1) such [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) is located at a federally approved or [State](/usc/46/112.md) approved mooring area;
  - (2) such [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) is located on private property with the permission of the owner of such property;
  - (3) the owner or operator of such [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) provides a notification to the [Commandant](/usc/46/2101.md?p=3) that—
    - (A) indicates the location of the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md);
    - (B) indicates that the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) is not abandoned; and
    - (C) contains documentation proving that the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) is allowed to be in such location; or
  - (4) the [Commandant](/usc/46/2101.md?p=3) determines that such an abandonment determination would not be in the public interest.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7347(a)(3), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1779.)