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Maine does not have a formal program to address the issues of abandoned or derelict watercraft. The state does have existing legislation that addresses abandoned watercraft that are found in the coastal state waters. In addition, they also have procedures established concerning abandoned vessels in harbors, which are covered under a separate state statute.
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Maine does have statutory authorization for dealing with abandoned watercraft, established and regulated under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 12, § 1866, which is managed by the Bureau of Parks and Lands within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. It includes legislation outlining the procedures for eligibility, determining ownership, establishing basic removal requirements and sets penalties for failure to pay the costs of removal for abandoned watercraft in state waters. The state also addresses abandoned and derelict vessels left in harbors under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 38, § 9.
Funding for the removal of abandoned watercraft (by the director) comes from funds available through Maine’s Submerged Lands Fund, which was established under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 12, § 1861. This fund was created to provide funding for a wide range of activities including the removal of abandoned watercraft, management of submerged lands pursuant to Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 12, § 1862, and to provide grants to municipalities pursuant to Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 12, § 1863.
The Bureau of Parks and Public Lands, within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, is the lead agency for abandoned watercraft in Maine.