Ariz. Admin. Code § 12-4-507

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section R12-4-507 - Transfer of Ownership of an Abandoned or Unreleased Watercraft

A. A person who has knowledge and custody of a watercraft abandoned on private property owned by that person may attempt to obtain ownership of the watercraft by way of the abandoned watercraft transfer process. A lienholder of foreclosed real property may assign an agent to act on its behalf.

B. The last registered owner of an abandoned or unreleased watercraft is presumed to be responsible for the watercraft, unless the watercraft is reported stolen.

C. The operator of a self-storage facility located in this state and having a possessory lien shall comply with the requirements prescribed under A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 15, Article 1 when attempting to obtain ownership of a watercraft abandoned while in storage.

D. A person having a possessory lien under a written agreement shall comply with the requirements prescribed under A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 7, Article 6 when attempting to obtain ownership of a watercraft for which repairs or service fees remain unpaid.

E. Only a person acting within the scope of official duties as an employee or authorized agent of a government agency may order the removal of a watercraft abandoned on public property or a public waterway.

F. A person seeking ownership of an abandoned or unreleased watercraft shall submit an application to the Department and pay the fee established under R12-4-504. The application is furnished by the Department and available at any Department office. The application shall include the following information, if available:

1. Hull identification number, unless exempt under R12-4-505;

2. Registration number;

3. Decal number;

4. State of registration;

5. Year of registration;

6. Name, address, and daytime telephone number of the person who found the watercraft;

7. For abandoned watercraft:

a. Address or description of the location where the watercraft was found,

b. Whether the watercraft was abandoned on private or public property, and

c. When applicable, for watercraft abandoned on private property, whether the applicant is the legal owner of the property;

8. Condition of the watercraft: wrecked, stripped, or intact;

9. State in which the watercraft will be operated;

10. Length of time the watercraft was abandoned;

11. Reason why the applicant believes the watercraft is abandoned; and

12. Signature of the applicant, acknowledged before a Notary Public or witnessed by a Department employee.

G. This state and its agencies, employees, and agents are not liable for relying in good faith on the contents of the application.

H. The Department shall attempt to determine the name and address of the registered owner by:

1. Conducting a search of its watercraft database when documentation indicates the watercraft was previously registered in this state, or

2. Requesting the watercraft record from the other state when documentation indicates the watercraft was previously registered in another state.

I. If the Department is able to determine the name and address of the registered owner, the Department shall send written notice of the applicant's attempt to register the watercraft to the owner.

a. If the registered owner provides a written release of interest in the watercraft, the Department shall mail the release of interest and an abandoned or unreleased watercraft approval letter to the applicant. The applicant shall apply for watercraft registration in compliance with the requirements established under R12-4-502.

b. If the registered owner provides written notice to the Department refusing to release interest in the watercraft, the Department shall notify the applicant of the owner's refusal. The Department shall not register the watercraft to the applicant unless the applicant provides proof of ownership and complies with the requirements established under R12-4-502.

d. If the registered owner does not respond to the notice within 180 days from the date the Department sent notice, this failure to act shall constitute a waiver of interest in the watercraft by any person having an interest in the watercraft, and the watercraft shall be deemed abandoned for all purposes. The Department shall mail an abandoned or unreleased watercraft approval letter to the applicant. The applicant shall apply for watercraft registration in compliance with the requirements established under R12-4-502.

2. If the written notice is returned unclaimed or refused, the Department shall notify the applicant within 15 days of the notice being returned that the attempt to contact the registered owner was unsuccessful.

J. If the Department is unable to identify or serve the registered owner, the Department shall post a notice of intent on the Department's website within 45 days of the Department's notification to the applicant as provided in subsection (I)(2).

1. The notice shall include a statement of the Department's intent to transfer ownership of the watercraft ten days after the date of posting, unless the Department receives notice from the registered owner refusing to release interest in the watercraft within that ten-day period following posting.

2. If the watercraft remains unclaimed after the ten-day period, the Department shall mail an abandoned or unreleased watercraft approval letter to the applicant. The applicant shall apply for watercraft registration in compliance with the requirements established under R12-4-502.

K. A government agency may submit an application for authorization to dispose of a junk watercraft abandoned on state or federal lands or waterways. The application is furnished by the Department and is available at any Department Office. Upon receipt of the application, the Department shall attempt to determine the name and address of the registered owner. If the Department is unable to identify and serve the registered owner, the Department shall publish a notice of intent to authorize the disposal of the junk watercraft as described under subsection (J).

1. The published notice shall include a statement of the Department's intent to authorize the disposal of the watercraft ten days after the date of publication, unless the Department receives notice from the registered owner refusing to release interest in the watercraft within that ten-day period following publication.

2. If the watercraft remains unclaimed after the ten-day period, the Department shall mail an authorization to dispose of the junk watercraft to the government agency. The government agency may dispose of the abandoned watercraft and all indicia for that watercraft in any manner the agency determines expedient or convenient.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R12-4-507

Adopted effective May 27, 1992 (Supp. 92-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 8 A.A.R. 3025, effective July 10, 2002 (Supp. 02-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 9 A.A.R. 1613, effective July 5, 2003 (Supp. 03-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 13 A.A.R. 4511, effective February 2, 2008 (Supp. 07-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 19 A.A.R. 597, effective July 1, 2013 (Supp. 13-1). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 23 A.A.R. 1034, effective 8/5/2017. Amended by final rulemaking at 23 A.A.R. 1719, effective 8/5/2017. Amended by final rulemaking at 28 A.A.R. 3425, effective 12/5/2022.