Abandoned GRP boats - line between theft and rescuing...

[Minerva]

Last week we had an interesting discussion around the problem of abandoned glassfibre boats and I've been pondering a specific scenario.

Very close to where I moor our boat there is a seemingly abandoned 7ft GRP tender / rowing boat - looks like it's been caught in a storm and now pretty smashed up on the foreshore some time ago. Several 6" cracks or more like tears from the gunwhale down the topsides. It's not moved or noticeably been touched in at least the 4years since I noticed it and would certainly not float in it's current condition.

However looking over it at the weekend there, its nothing that an afternoon or two's work with some chopped strand matting and epoxy would get it back to being in one piece with a little further work to put on a rubbing strake and slap over with some B&Q gloss paint. It would never look pretty, but I could put it to good use...

So would popping it on my car's roof rack the next time I'm over to bring back to my garden to restoring it; would that likely fall into the theft category or into environmental saviour category....?

 

[Blueboatman]

Police station desk worth a chat too if you’re serious
You leave a prominent note at its old location detailing your whereabouts and it’s ‘ rescued’ new location, and a note on it @ new location …
After a few weeks … ✌

 

[Neeves]

I think if it has been lying unloved for 4 years and there are no registration marks allowing an owner to be traced then most people would thank you for removing 'rubbish' and an eyesore.

What the legal position is - no idea.

Here in Oz I have a friend who was in a similar situation and he contacts the Marine Police - they encouraged his to remove it. He has been using it since as a his tender. I have another friend who bought a dinghy that possibly broke loose and was sold by the local council (they have an annual auction of unclaimed marine product) - some one stole it - he wondered if it was stolen by the original owner.....

Jonathan

 

[Wansworth]

Is there not some law governing flotsome and jetsome..contact local coastguard

 

[Adios]

If as came up in another thread 83% of boats don't leave a marina in a year I'm not sure 4 years not moving is enough to be sure its abandoned much more than average. I'd want some authority figure to green light it in writing before feeling sure its legit to take it. Then the worst that could happen is the owner turns up to take his freshly renovated boat home.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Humm , been in similar sittuations down ere ; abandoned small boats ; might suggest that you approach the Land Owner (Beach Owner , Counciletc etc , Harbour Authority ?) asking if they have objections to your removing the trash ?

On the River Teign about 3 dinghys wash up on the Council Car Park beach , afer a short while the Council Wardens post a sticker on the Dinghy stating that unless the Dinghy is removed within 14 days the Council will arrange for its removal ; Might be in your dvantage if the Council owns that shore where the Dinghy is washed up ?

 

[Cantata]

From your description it should be reported to the Receiver of Wreck. If you state your case I would think you will end up owning it. But doing it through them would keep it legal.

 

[Stemar]

Section 2 of the 1968 Act specifies that appropriation is not dishonest if the person doing it believes that

• They have a legal right to take the property; or
• The owner would agree to their taking it if they knew about it; or
• They could not find the person to whom the property belongs by taking reasonable steps. (Does not apply to people who came by the property as trustees or personal representatives.)

It also provides that appropriation may still be dishonest if the person was willing to pay for the property they have taken.
Theft Act Offences | The Crown Prosecution Service

What reasonable steps could you take to find the owner? A small dinghy, well beyond economical repair, apparently abandoned on the foreshore for a few years with no identifying marks? Probably not much apart from asking local harbour masters or in local clubs. For a full CYA, send emails to ask. Not a lawyer, so my legal advice is worth exactly what you're paying for it!

In practice, I can't imagine anyone even noticing it's gone.

 

[jamie N]

I'd think of it as clearing up litter and then recycling.

 

[ProDave]

I could point you to a basket case small yacht that needs a LOT of work if it was ever to float again. It is currently in dispute between the owner, who it seems does not want it, and the club, who want it gone.

I am sure if a third party wanted to come and take it away, both the owner and the club would be glad to be shot of it.

 

[Momac]

...looks like it's been caught in a storm and now pretty smashed up on the foreshore some time ago. Several 6" cracks or more like tears from the gunwhale down the topsides. It's not moved or noticeably been touched in at least the 4years

Its hardly likely to be claimed now if it was washed up 4 years or more ago.

 

[Adios]

Or you could do this with it

 

[ridgy]

4 years = disappear it

 

[sailaboutvic]

Or you could do this with it

View attachment 139141

Hey thats my dinghy .

 

[Adios]

Hey thats my dinghy .

No Problem! You can have it back after the next Chelsea flower show.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Or you could do this with it

View attachment 139141

No Problem! You can have it back after the next Chelsea flower show.

Yep its just maybe what retired Boater can get upto , when illness plus age , take their toll on us Boaters ; recon its a way of keeping us Boaters in touch with what was our pastime , for many years ?
Mind you the Watering these bloody hot days can become a chore ! {#

 

[Capt Popeye]

Or you could do this with it

View attachment 139141

Yep thats the Boat Owners Association Teignmouth that do that ; its found to be a great Anti Theft device , no DNA or SMART WATER required , but in a hot Sumer (like now) it does take a lot of Watering (of the normal kind) Ho Ho Ho

 

[Capt Popeye]

Well the local river Exe has its own Exhibits for the best kept Boat show ;

Dunno if anyone actually claims to own it now , or wether its been abandoned , to rot away in its own god time !

Maybe its a well known local landmark , used for Navigation etc etc ?

 

[Keith 66]

All you need to do is start painting it. Just as you are nearly done the owner will pop up out of a hole in the ground!

 

[Solostoke]

Well the local river Exe has its own Exhibits for the best kept Boat show ;

Dunno if anyone actually claims to own it now , or wether its been abandoned , to rot away in its own god time !

Maybe its a well known local landmark , used for Navigation etc etc ?

View attachment 139635View attachment 139635

I'm thinking of starting a YouTube channel, this looks a perfect project! ?