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    Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

    Abandoned, Derelict and At-Risk Boats

    Pennsylvania’s approach to abandoned, derelict and at-risk boats is overseen by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Below is how these boats are defined, and guidance on how to report and/or register these boats located on both private property and public waters or Commonwealth property.

    Overview

    Pennsylvania’s approach to abandoned, derelict and at-risk boats is overseen by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Below is how these boats are defined, and guidance on how to report and/or register these boats located on both private property and public waters or Commonwealth property.

    A boat is presumed to be abandoned under any of the following circumstances:

    • The boat is physically inoperable and left unattended on Commonwealth waters or public property for more than 48 hours.
    • The boat has remained illegally on Commonwealth waters or public property for more than 48 hours.
    • The boat is left unattended on or along Commonwealth waters or public property and does not bear a valid registration.
    • The boat has remained on the private property of a salvor for more than 30 calendar days.
    • The boat has been on private property of a landowner for at least 3 months.

    A boat that is on Commonwealth waters or public property and may involve any of the following circumstances:

    • The boat is sunk or partially sunk.
    • The boat is aground without the ability to extricate itself absent mechanical assistance.
    • The boat remains on Commonwealth waters or public property after a boating accident or fire.
    • The boat is in neglected or deteriorating condition such that the boat’s hull, steering or propulsion systems are compromised due to missing, incomplete, damaged, broken or inoperable components.

    A boat that is as follows:

    • A boat that is at-risk of becoming a derelict boat.
    • Any of the following circumstances:
      • The boat is taking on or has water without an effective means to dewater.
      • The boat remains on Commonwealth waters or public property during an extreme weather event.
      • The boat has broken loose or is in danger of breaking loose from its current location.
      • The boat does not have an effective means of propulsion for safe navigation.

    Boat Located on Public Waters or Commonwealth Property

    Municipalities or law enforcement must notify the PFBC within seven (7) calendar days of the identification of an abandoned or derelict vessel on public waters or Commonwealth property.

    1. Municipality or law enforcement agency completes page one (1) of the At-Risk, Derelict and Abandoned Boat Notification (PFBC-ADV-001 form).
    2. If limited boat identification information is available, a Hull Identification Number (HIN) tracing and photos of the boat may be requested by the PFBC after receipt of At-Risk, Derelict and Abandoned Boat Notification form.
    3. Read, sign and date the certification statement at the bottom of page one (1) of the At-Risk, Derelict and Abandoned Boat Notification form..
    4. Submit the page one of the At-Risk, Derelict and Abandoned Boat Notification form via email to RA-FB-RATSCALLS@pa.gov. A response will be provided within two (2) business days.
    5. On page two (2) of At-Risk, Derelict and Abandoned Boat Notification form, follow the appropriate checklist for notification to the owner if known or unknown. If the owner is known, PFBC will include a sample notification letter in our response to the submitted At-Risk, Derelict and Abandoned Boat Notification form. The letter template is recommended to be used since it contains legally required information.

    Before registering a boat, the PFBC must be satisfied that the applicant for registration has sufficient ownership interest in the boat to qualify for registration. It is the policy of the PFBC to register these boats only if the applicant demonstrates ownership by taking the steps described in this section and complies with other applicable laws and regulations.

    1. Municipality or law enforcement agency follows all steps associated with reporting an abandoned, derelict, or at-risk boat on public waters or Commonwealth property. 
    2. After 30 days from notice specified under 30 Pa.C.S. § 5703(c) or (d), the owner of record relinquishes ownership rights to the boat.

    After completing the steps above, please choose one of the following options:

    Municipality or law enforcement agency submits for registration and/or title of the boat by completing the Application for Pennsylvania Boat Registration and/or Boat Title (REV-336 form) and providing appropriate fees. Municipality or law enforcement agency may then use or sell the boat.

    Municipality or law enforcement agency contacts a salvor to take possession of the boat.

    1. Salvor completes and submits a Notice of Abandoned Boat Found on Public Property or Commonwealth Waters (PFBC-R3 form) and required documentation, as spelled out on the form.
    2. If the boat is valueless except for salvage, salvor will apply for a salvage title and upon issuance, may destroy, dismantle, salvage, or recycle the boat.
    3. If the boat has value, the boat may be sold at public auction.

    Question:  I am a salvor who towed a boat with PA registration that was found outside of Pennsylvania. Should I apply for title in Pennsylvania?

    Answer:  Please contact the state where the boat was originally found to initiate the registration and/or titling process.

    Question:  A boat is creating a public hazard where it is currently located. What should I do?

    Answer:  Contact local law enforcement as soon as possible so that the boat may be moved to a non-hazardous, lawful location. If the boat is determined to be abandoned, the abandoned and derelict boat process may be initiated by the local municipality or local law enforcement agency.

    Question:  I am completing the At-Risk, Derelict and Abandoned Boat Notification (PFBC-ADV-001 form) and cannot find the Hull Identification Number (HIN) on the boat. Where can I find the HIN?

    Answer:  The HIN can be found on the outboard side of the transom above the waterline, or on the capacity plate of an older boat. If the boat does not have a transom, the HIN may be affixed to the starboard side of the boat at the end of the hull. Additionally, there may be a secondary HIN in an unexposed location on the interior of the boat or beneath a fitting or item of hardware.

    If you need assistance in completing the At-Risk, Derelict and Abandoned Boat Notification (PFBC-ADV-001 form) or have any questions, please email RA-FB-RATSCALLS@pa.gov or call the PFBC Division of Licensing and Registration at (866) 262-8734. 

    Boat Located on Private Property

    Before registering a boat, the PFBC must be satisfied that the applicant for registration has sufficient ownership interest in the boat to qualify for registration. It is the policy of the PFBC to register these boats only if the applicant demonstrates ownership by taking the steps described in this section and complies with other applicable laws and regulations.

    1. Landowner, Tenant, or Agent of Owner or Tenant (“Applicant”) completes and submits a Notice of Intent to Register and Title a Boat Abandoned on Private Property (PFBC-R2 form) plus pencil tracing and/or HIN photos plus pictures of both sides of the boat.
    2. PFBC will review submission and determine if the boat is abandoned. 

    Once determination has been made, the next steps are as follows, based on ownership records on file:

    1. Applicant will receive a letter from PFBC notifying them of an unknown owner and the requirement to publish a notice for three (3) consecutive days in a newspaper of general circulation where the boat was found abandoned. If the newspaper is not a daily paper, it must be published three consecutive times.
    2. After 30 days from the newspaper publication, but not earlier than 60 days after PFBC receives the completed Notice of Intent to Register and Title a Boat Abandoned on Private Property (PFBC-R2 form), Applicant may apply for registration of the boat in their name.
    3. Upon receipt of the newspaper billing invoice for the notice plus required registration documentation (completed Application for Pennsylvania Boat Registration and/or Boat Title (REV-336 form), Statement of Abandoned Boat (PFBC-R5 form), and fees), PFBC will register the boat in the name of the Applicant.

    1. PFBC will contact the state in which the boat is last registered and request a notice mailed to the last registered owner. If the state of record does not send a notice and does not object to the transfer of the boat, PFBC will attempt to contact the out-of-state owner directly.
    2. PFBC will inform the Applicant that they are attempting to contact the last registered owner.
      1. If the last registered owner responds and indicates they sold or transferred the boat or have no interest in the boat, a letter will be sent to the Applicant indicating they can apply for registration and/or title by completing the Application for Pennsylvania Boat Registration and/or Boat Title (REV-336 form), Statement of Abandoned Boat (PFBC-R5 form), and providing the required fees.
      2. If the last registered owner does not respond within 30 calendar days, Applicant is informed they must place a notice for three consecutive days in a newspaper of general circulation where the boat was found abandoned.  After 30 days from the newspaper publication but not earlier than 60 days after PFBC receives the completed Notice of Intent to Register and Title a Boat Abandoned on Private Property (PFBC-R2 form), if no response is received, Applicant may apply for registration of the boat in their name.

    Note:  In cases involving boats registered in other states, PFBC may extend the 60-day period described in paragraph (b) to 180 days.

    1. Applicant will receive a letter from PFBC notifying them that a letter was mailed to the last registered boat owner and they have 30 days to remove the boat.
      1. If the last registered owner responds and indicates they sold or transferred the boat or have no interest in the boat, a letter will be sent to the Applicant indicating they can apply for registration and/or title by completing the Application for Pennsylvania Boat Registration and/or Boat Title (REV-336 form), Statement of Abandoned Boat (PFBC-R5 form), and providing the required fees.
      2. If the last registered owner does not respond within 30 calendar days, Applicant is informed they must place a notice for three consecutive days in a newspaper of general circulation where the boat was found abandoned.  After 30 days from the newspaper publication but not earlier than 60 days after PFBC receives the completed Notice of Intent to Register and Title a Boat Abandoned on Private Property (PFBC-R2 form), if no response is received, Applicant may apply for registration of the boat in their name.

    Question:  I found a boat that was left on my property and have no means of contacting the last owner. How can I register and/or title, or have this boat removed?

    Answer:  If you intend to register and/or title the boat, you must submit the Notice of Intent to Register and Title a Boat Abandoned on Private Property (PFBC-R2 form).  Once the boat is determined to be abandoned, PFBC will provide further guidance and next steps to continue the registration and/or titling process. If you wish to have the boat removed from your property and ownership has been established, you may contact a salvor.

    Question:  Tenant finds a boat left on the property. Who submits the Notice of Intent to Register and Title Boat Abandoned on Private Property (PFBC-R2 form)?

    Answer:  A tenant may submit the Notice of Intent to Register and Title a Boat Abandoned on Private Property (PFBC-R2 form) as a Tenant of Land, however PFBC requires written authorization from the Landowner to proceed with the process.

    Question:  An abandoned boat is on my property and is on a trailer. Can I apply through PFBC to register the trailer?

    Answer:  The registration and titling of trailers must be processed through PennDOT. Please review PennDOT’s fact sheet on the Disposal of Abandoned Vehicles from Private Property.

    If you need assistance or have any questions, please email RA-FB-RATSCALLS@pa.gov or call the PFBC Division of Licensing and Registration at (866) 262-8734.