Any suggestions appreciated! A friend would like to save a Beneteau 1st 305 from a chainsaw and landfill fate. He needs to find the owner of this boat before it ends up in the landfill in New Orleans. He has a serial number only. There is no state registration or other identifying info. The Coast Guard has not been able to help.
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It has to be registered with the state...
In some manner. I know when I registered, I had to include the HIN (or serial number). Try the Department of Motor Vehicle in New Orleans. Ask them to do a HIN search if they can. There are no documents at all in the boat? Anything that could be used to make or start a trace? Try some of the electronics by their serial numbers, like the high end ones, Radar, EPIRB, Auto Pilot, or maybe electronic packages (wind, speed, depth), etc. Engine serial number?
In some manner. I know when I registered, I had to include the HIN (or serial number). Try the Department of Motor Vehicle in New Orleans. Ask them to do a HIN search if they can. There are no documents at all in the boat? Anything that could be used to make or start a trace? Try some of the electronics by their serial numbers, like the high end ones, Radar, EPIRB, Auto Pilot, or maybe electronic packages (wind, speed, depth), etc. Engine serial number?
Boat Rescue
I would imagine that the proper owner has already filed a claim for the loss with his insurance company. Even if the owner were located, his insurance company would adjust the loss amount to damage done on the boat vs replacement cost and if you were in his shoes, you probably would rather just get a replacement boat. Was there no paperwork (registration, title, owners manual with a name or address)? Is there a call sign or MMSI number on the radio? If a boat is found washed up and there are no identifying information to attempt to located the true owner, than anyone can claim "salvage rights". If the boat was salvaged by someone, you friend can pay the yard any agreed amount for the boat to be taken into his possession. Have a bill of sale by the salvager made up to include both names, the date, and the agreed sale price. Now your friend can go register the boat at the state DMV/Boating Division and apply for new registration and title. I'm not sure if the DMV database can be searched by Hull number, but have him call the DMV before laying out any cash. If they are unable to conduct a search, then your friend can go ahead and register. I'm sure at this point it has been longer than 90 days since the true owner's boat has gone missing. Post what your friend finds out if anything.
I would imagine that the proper owner has already filed a claim for the loss with his insurance company. Even if the owner were located, his insurance company would adjust the loss amount to damage done on the boat vs replacement cost and if you were in his shoes, you probably would rather just get a replacement boat. Was there no paperwork (registration, title, owners manual with a name or address)? Is there a call sign or MMSI number on the radio? If a boat is found washed up and there are no identifying information to attempt to located the true owner, than anyone can claim "salvage rights". If the boat was salvaged by someone, you friend can pay the yard any agreed amount for the boat to be taken into his possession. Have a bill of sale by the salvager made up to include both names, the date, and the agreed sale price. Now your friend can go register the boat at the state DMV/Boating Division and apply for new registration and title. I'm not sure if the DMV database can be searched by Hull number, but have him call the DMV before laying out any cash. If they are unable to conduct a search, then your friend can go ahead and register. I'm sure at this point it has been longer than 90 days since the true owner's boat has gone missing. Post what your friend finds out if anything.
Identificatio
II the boat was documented, you should be able to locate the owner by the hull number. Try the National Vessel Documentation website. Brian is not correct as far as Louisiana is concerned. Louisiana is one of the few states where a federally documented vessel does not have to be registered with the state. If it was documented there should be a documentation number somewhere inside the boat. This is required by law, but some hide it fairly well. Only other recourse would be to contact Beneteau and try to get the name of the origional owner there, and follow it up that way. It may be possible to just claim salvage rights on this boat and take it. You need to check this out too. If you do try to just claim salvage rights on this boat, document it and do not attempt to register with the state of Louisiana. They are almost impossible to deal with when every scrap of paper isn't in perfect order. I have been fighting with them since Katrina over the registration of my dinghy. The origional MSO and paperwork went away with Katrina and I can't find out any way to register it yet. Keep us posted on what is going on as I and I'm sure others are interested in how it turns out.
II the boat was documented, you should be able to locate the owner by the hull number. Try the National Vessel Documentation website. Brian is not correct as far as Louisiana is concerned. Louisiana is one of the few states where a federally documented vessel does not have to be registered with the state. If it was documented there should be a documentation number somewhere inside the boat. This is required by law, but some hide it fairly well. Only other recourse would be to contact Beneteau and try to get the name of the origional owner there, and follow it up that way. It may be possible to just claim salvage rights on this boat and take it. You need to check this out too. If you do try to just claim salvage rights on this boat, document it and do not attempt to register with the state of Louisiana. They are almost impossible to deal with when every scrap of paper isn't in perfect order. I have been fighting with them since Katrina over the registration of my dinghy. The origional MSO and paperwork went away with Katrina and I can't find out any way to register it yet. Keep us posted on what is going on as I and I'm sure others are interested in how it turns out.
Registering can be a nightmare but....
I bought an abandoned Sol Cat 18 from a fella. The previous owners were unknown and unavailable. I tried registering throught the DMV and what a night mare. After two month of trying to follow their ever changing rules. I brought it up at the AAA Club. She handled it in two visits and an afadavit. Issued a new CA number and trailer license. I don't know about Louisiana but I think the AAA is nationwide.
I bought an abandoned Sol Cat 18 from a fella. The previous owners were unknown and unavailable. I tried registering throught the DMV and what a night mare. After two month of trying to follow their ever changing rules. I brought it up at the AAA Club. She handled it in two visits and an afadavit. Issued a new CA number and trailer license. I don't know about Louisiana but I think the AAA is nationwide.
Salvage Boat
I doubt that there are any electronics aboard at this late date. The owner probably doesn't want to be identified.
I doubt that there are any electronics aboard at this late date. The owner probably doesn't want to be identified.
I can't believe
a boat such as this one, has no numbers on it so that it can be traced. I'm not up on local laws but wouldn't it have to be registered somewhere? Be it Coast Guard or the state. Going to the manufacturer is a good start. Good luck and keep us updated. Keep it up, Ctskip
a boat such as this one, has no numbers on it so that it can be traced. I'm not up on local laws but wouldn't it have to be registered somewhere? Be it Coast Guard or the state. Going to the manufacturer is a good start. Good luck and keep us updated. Keep it up, Ctskip
katrina boat
Perhaps the boat was never sold to an owner other than a dealer, and they are either out of bussiness or have been paid for the loss.
Perhaps the boat was never sold to an owner other than a dealer, and they are either out of bussiness or have been paid for the loss.
Try The Manufacturer
Get the hull # And try calling the manufacturer, they shoud know who they sold it to and then you can run the chain.
Get the hull # And try calling the manufacturer, they shoud know who they sold it to and then you can run the chain.
Got the help
The Louisiana Wild life and fisheries is where it is registered You will have a hard time getting the owners name and address from them unless you know the persons name that the boat is in.And thay want first and last name. when you callthe wild life and fisheries let them know what you are wanting to do and also let them know the boat loks to be abandond they might tell you the persons name or you could ask if the person would call the person and let them know you are intrested. The only reason I know this is I bought a 19 foot ODay from a guy and when I went to register it the lady at the wild life and fisheries told me it wasen't in the persons name that I had bought it from .so She called the original owner and found out that The person I bought it from never did give the original owner he bought it from all of the money and wouldn't turn over the papers untill he got his money . She ask me if She could give the man my phone number and of course I said yes but he never called . I went back to the guy I had bought the boat from gave him the boat back got my money back and even got the person he bought the boat from name. I then called the wlf back and got the phone number. The guy never did call me back . If the boat is at the point than I would ask around at the yacht clubs there or call the New Orleans Power Squadron to see if any of them know whos it is. Seeing thay are sharing the yatch club next to where there office use to be.Or just take it .You might find the owner on It takes a theif thred.
The Louisiana Wild life and fisheries is where it is registered You will have a hard time getting the owners name and address from them unless you know the persons name that the boat is in.And thay want first and last name. when you callthe wild life and fisheries let them know what you are wanting to do and also let them know the boat loks to be abandond they might tell you the persons name or you could ask if the person would call the person and let them know you are intrested. The only reason I know this is I bought a 19 foot ODay from a guy and when I went to register it the lady at the wild life and fisheries told me it wasen't in the persons name that I had bought it from .so She called the original owner and found out that The person I bought it from never did give the original owner he bought it from all of the money and wouldn't turn over the papers untill he got his money . She ask me if She could give the man my phone number and of course I said yes but he never called . I went back to the guy I had bought the boat from gave him the boat back got my money back and even got the person he bought the boat from name. I then called the wlf back and got the phone number. The guy never did call me back . If the boat is at the point than I would ask around at the yacht clubs there or call the New Orleans Power Squadron to see if any of them know whos it is. Seeing thay are sharing the yatch club next to where there office use to be.Or just take it .You might find the owner on It takes a theif thred.
Salvaged boat
As all suggestions are pursued, I am interest in your comment on claiming the boat as "salvaged". Any idea how one does this? That is to whom is the claim submitted and how would the salvaged boat be re-titled/documented?
As all suggestions are pursued, I am interest in your comment on claiming the boat as "salvaged". Any idea how one does this? That is to whom is the claim submitted and how would the salvaged boat be re-titled/documented?
Try the insurance companies
As someone who lost a sailboat in Katrina, it seems to me the best bet might be to contract some of the major insurance companies. If the boat was not state registered, and most sailboats in the New Orleans area were/are not, then CG documentation is your next best bet...you can do that on the CG website, especially if you have the HIN. Of course, many people do not keep up with the CG documentation on an ownership change, so you never know if this will be accurate. When the insurance company settled on my boat, they required me to physically transfer the title to them (or the company they hired to do the job). So they gave me a check and I signed the boat over to them. I think that is what happened to most of the totaled insured boats in Katrina. Of course, if the boat is still there, perhaps it was one of the uninsured.
As someone who lost a sailboat in Katrina, it seems to me the best bet might be to contract some of the major insurance companies. If the boat was not state registered, and most sailboats in the New Orleans area were/are not, then CG documentation is your next best bet...you can do that on the CG website, especially if you have the HIN. Of course, many people do not keep up with the CG documentation on an ownership change, so you never know if this will be accurate. When the insurance company settled on my boat, they required me to physically transfer the title to them (or the company they hired to do the job). So they gave me a check and I signed the boat over to them. I think that is what happened to most of the totaled insured boats in Katrina. Of course, if the boat is still there, perhaps it was one of the uninsured.
Beneteau dealer
You could try the local Beneteau dealer - Murray Yacht Sales at 504/210-3668. Its possible they sold the boat at one time or know the owner from local racing?...just a thought.
You could try the local Beneteau dealer - Murray Yacht Sales at 504/210-3668. Its possible they sold the boat at one time or know the owner from local racing?...just a thought.
Or you could try US Sailing
Look them up on the web. If the owner raced it, he might have registered it with them.
Look them up on the web. If the owner raced it, he might have registered it with them.
Experienced salvor
I work in a boat yard in Biloxi and have delt with this many times since Katrina. Have your friend buy the boat from the yard at the least expense. Apply with the Coast guard for salvage rights. Make sure they know the boat was already on the hard and scheduled for demolition, or they will have expected you to leave it alone. It will take a year for the CG to free the salvage rights, but they should take care of all the "notifications" of which there really are none. In the mean time the original owner or insurance company will most likely not appear, but at the least they will be required to pay what ever cost you incured to obtain the boat as long as they are with in reason. After a year has passed the Coasties won't just grant you the rights to the boat, but you can doccument your efforts. Take these doccuments to what ever state agency registers boats in your area and register it. A simple bill of sale from the yard that has it now will likely suffice. Use your documentation later if someone pursues the boat in the future (ie, don't ask for permission, ask for forgivness). The main goal here is not to look like a thief. Let the CG know you are looking for the owner, wait a year, then register. If down the road an individual or agency with claim to the boat appears at the very least they will have to reimburse you for improvements, costs, or repairs that you made in good faith with no ill intent. You may want to contact your local chapter of the "Yellow Pirates" AKA SeaTow, they have alot of experience with stealing, I mean salvaging boats, and for a good pay off I am sure they can help.
I work in a boat yard in Biloxi and have delt with this many times since Katrina. Have your friend buy the boat from the yard at the least expense. Apply with the Coast guard for salvage rights. Make sure they know the boat was already on the hard and scheduled for demolition, or they will have expected you to leave it alone. It will take a year for the CG to free the salvage rights, but they should take care of all the "notifications" of which there really are none. In the mean time the original owner or insurance company will most likely not appear, but at the least they will be required to pay what ever cost you incured to obtain the boat as long as they are with in reason. After a year has passed the Coasties won't just grant you the rights to the boat, but you can doccument your efforts. Take these doccuments to what ever state agency registers boats in your area and register it. A simple bill of sale from the yard that has it now will likely suffice. Use your documentation later if someone pursues the boat in the future (ie, don't ask for permission, ask for forgivness). The main goal here is not to look like a thief. Let the CG know you are looking for the owner, wait a year, then register. If down the road an individual or agency with claim to the boat appears at the very least they will have to reimburse you for improvements, costs, or repairs that you made in good faith with no ill intent. You may want to contact your local chapter of the "Yellow Pirates" AKA SeaTow, they have alot of experience with stealing, I mean salvaging boats, and for a good pay off I am sure they can help.
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