ABANDONED VESSELS; LOST VESSELS

Jacksonville Ordinance Code tit. X, ch. 388, pt. 5

in effect

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 388.501 Findings and legislative intent.

Sec. 388.501. - Findings and legislative intent. (a) Pursuant to F.S. § 327.60 (2023), as amended from time to time, the Florida Legislature has expressly authorized local governments to enact and enforce regulations to implement the procedures for abandoned or lost property that allow the local law enforcement agency to remove a vessel affixed to a public dock or mooring within its jurisdiction that is abandoned or lost property pursuant to F.S. § 705.103(1). Such regulation must require the local law enforcement agency to post a written notice at least 24 hours before removing the vessel. (b) Abandoned vessels pose a significant threat to the environment, human health, and navigational safety as an obstruction to navigation through deterioration, physical damage to the surrounding ecosystems, through the proliferation of marine debris, or the threat of discharge of sewage, oil and/or hazardous substances into the marine environment. (c) Vessels which are not under the supervision and control of a person capable of operating, maintaining, or moving it from one location to another and which remain anchored or moored in the same location for over ten days out of a 30-day period demonstrates that such vessels are no longer engaged in the exercise of navigation, and should be classified as unauthorized stored vessels. (d) The abandonment of vessels conflicts with the Public Trust Doctrine, which holds and protects sovereign submerged lands and the water column above it for the benefit and use of the public. (e) Prohibitions on lost or abandoned vessels serve to promote public health, safety and welfare by reducing or eliminating the threats posed by lost vessels and abandoned vessels, through the exercise of the authority granted to the City pursuant to F.S. Ch. 705. (Ord. 2025-432-E, § 7)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 388.502 Definitions.

Sec. 388.502. - Definitions. For the purpose of this Part, the following terms, phrases, words, abbreviations and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein. (a) Abandoned Vessel means any vessel that has an identified owner who is unwilling to take control of the vessel, or an vessel that does not have an identifiable owner upon reasonable effort (to ascertain the name and address of the owner and any lien holder, as described in Section 388.102) and which is anchored or moored on the waters of the county under the following criterion, but no single criterion shall be conclusive: (1) The vessel identification numbers and other means of identification have been removed so as to hinder or nullify efforts to locate or identify the owner. (2) Absence of a current license decal, registration or inspection. (3) Evidence that the vessel's registration certificate is expired for 45 or more days and the registered owner no longer resides at the address listed in the vessel registration. (4) Evidence that the last registered owner of record disclaims ownership and the current owner's name or address cannot be determined. (5) The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or the appropriate agency in the state of registration, if known, have no record of the vessel having ever been registered and the owner's name or address cannot be determined. (6) Whether the vessel has value other than nominal salvage value. (7) Whether the vessel is in sufficient repair to perform its intended purpose. a. Evidence of disrepair shall include missing, removed, or partially or completely dismantled parts; broken glass; or other signs of substantial deterioration. b. In making evaluations under this subsection, the compliance officer may require the owner to demonstrate the operability of the vessel. (8) Evidence that the vessel has been left unprotected from the elements, including without limitation: growth of vegetation or standing pools subject to insect infestation; rust or other corrosion; the positioning of the vessel in other than an upright or operable manner; and vandalism. (9) Evidence that the vessel was involved in a collision or other incident during which it was physically damaged and has remained in the condition for in excess of 72 hours and no repair activity has taken place over a 72-hour period. This criterion does not apply to persons who abandon a vessel on the waters of the county solely as a result of a boating accident that is reported to law enforcement in accordance with F.S. § 327.301 (2023), or otherwise reported to law enforcement; a hurricane; or another sudden event outside of his or her control if: a. The individual documents for law enforcement the specific event that led to the vessel to become abandoned on the waters of the county; and b. The owner or operator of the abandoned vessel shall make a bona fide attempt to recover the vessel, 1. For a vessel that has been abandoned as a result of a boating accident or other sudden event outside his or her control, within seven days after such accident or event; or 2. Within 45 days after the hurricane has passed over the state. The term Abandoned Vessel as used in this Part is distinct from the term Abandoned Property, as used in Chapter 670. Vessels described in Section 388.311, (a), (b) or (c), or Section 388.411, (a) or (c), or Section 388.411, may be designated as a Lost Vessel or Abandoned Vessel, subject to Section 388.506. (b) Attended vessel means that a person capable of operating, maintaining, or moving the vessel from one location to another is on board the subject vessel for four continuous hours in a 24-hour period. Any vessel left unattended for more than ten days out of a 30-day period demonstrates that the vessel is no longer engaged in navigation and may be deemed unattended. (c) Lost Vessel means any unattended vessel anchored or moored on the waters of the county that does not have an identifiable owner upon reasonable effort (to ascertain the name and address of the owner and any lien holder, as described in Section 388.102) and which is in a substantially operable, functioning condition or which has an apparent intrinsic value to the rightful owner. A vessel described in Section 388.412(f), may constitute a lost vessel. (Ord. 2025-432-E, § 7)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 388.503 Prohibitions.

Sec. 388.503. - Prohibitions. (a) Notwithstanding Chapter 609, any person who willfully abandons a vessel anchored, moored, or aground, on the waters of the county, or allows a vessel to be anchored, moored, or aground, on the waters of the county, shall be guilty of a violation of this Part as a Class C offense, as described in Section 609.109, Ordinance Code. The penalty for a second violation within three years shall be twice the amount of the first offender fine. The penalty for a third or subsequent violation within five years shall be three times the amount of the first offender fine. The penalty shall be in addition to restitution for damage to the property of another and all costs incurred by the City to abate the violation, as described in Section 388.103(l). (b) It is unlawful for any person who finds any lost or abandoned vessel on the waters of the county to appropriate the same to his or her own use or to refuse to deliver the same when required by law. Any person who unlawfully appropriates such lost or abandoned vessel to his or her own use or refuses to deliver such property when required commits theft, as defined in F.S. § 812.014, punishable as provided by law. (c) As used in this subsection, all costs incurred by the City to abate the violation means as described in Section 388.103(l). The City shall have the right to utilize any available method under the law to recover such costs. Recovered costs for abatement of a violation of this Part shall be deposited into the Derelict and Abandoned Vessel and Floating Structure Enforcement and Removal Trust Fund, Section 111.787. (d) Reserved. (e) Each day during any portion of which a violation of this Part occurs shall constitute a separate offense. (f) This Section does not apply to persons who abandon a vessel on the waters of the county solely as a result of a boating accident that is reported to law enforcement in accordance with F.S. § 327.301, or otherwise reported to law enforcement; a hurricane; or another sudden event outside of his or her control if: (1) The individual documents for law enforcement the specific event that led to the vessel to become abandoned on the waters of the county; and (2) The owner or operator of the abandoned vessel shall make a bona fide attempt to recover the vessel, a. For a vessel that has been abandoned as a result of a boating accident or other sudden event outside his or her control, within seven days after such accident or event; or b. Within 45 days after the hurricane has passed over the state. (Ord. 2025-432-E, § 7)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 388.504 Reporting, Notice, and Procedure for Lost or Abandoned Vessels.

Sec. 388.504. - Reporting, Notice, and Procedure for Lost or Abandoned Vessels. (a) Law enforcement officers may investigate violations of this Part. An officer investigating a vessel pursuant to this Part shall make a reasonable effort to ascertain the name and address of the owner and any lien holder. (b) Reporting lost or abandoned vessels. Whenever any person finds any lost or abandoned vessel, such person may report the description and location of the vessel to the Director of the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department, or designee, or to a law enforcement officer who shall deliver a copy of the report to the Director of the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department, or designee. The person taking the report shall ascertain whether the person reporting the vessel wishes to make a claim to it if the rightful owner cannot be identified or located. If the person does wish to make such claim, he or she shall deposit with the City a reasonable sum sufficient to cover the cost for transportation, storage, and publication of notice. This sum shall be reimbursed to the finder by the rightful owner should he or she identify and reclaim the property. (c) Required Notice. (1) Whenever a law enforcement officer has reasonable cause to believe that a vessel anchored, moored, or grounded, on the waters of the county, reported as lost or abandoned, is a Derelict Vessel, as described in Section 388.301, or an At-risk/Public Nuisance Vessel, as described in Section 388.301, the officer shall proceed under Part 3 of this Chapter. If there is reasonable cause to believe that a vessel reported as lost or abandoned qualifies as an Anchoring Limitation/Public Nuisance Vessel, as described in Section 388.412, the officer shall proceed under Part 4 of this Chapter. However, any vessel described in Section 388.311, (a), (b) or (c); Section 388.411, (a) or (c); or Section 388.411, may be designated as a Lost or Abandoned Vessel and the subject to Section 388.506, regardless of the vessel also qualifying as a Derelict Vessel, an At-risk/Public Nuisance Vessel, or an Anchoring Limitation/Public Nuisance Vessel. (2) Whenever a law enforcement officer has reasonable cause to believe that a vessel anchored, moored, or grounded, on the waters of the county, reported as lost or abandoned, is a lost or abandoned vessel, the officer shall cause notice of violation to be served as described in this Section. Notice of violation shall be in writing, shall specify the violation alleged with reference to the relevant ordinance, and shall direct that the vessel be removed from the waters of the county within a reasonable time, not less than five days otherwise a citation may be issued to the owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the vessel. Notice shall include that a person who has been issued a citation may request a hearing in the County Court to challenge a citation issued. Notice shall include a conspicuous statement that if the owner or other person legally responsible for the vessel has not removed this vessel from the waters of the county within the five days, it will be removed and disposed of pursuant to F.S. Ch. 705, or Chapter 388, Part 5, Ordinance Code. The notice shall also inform that in addition to fines and penalties, the owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the floating structure may be liable for all costs incurred by the City to abate the violation, as described in Section 388.103(l), Ordinance Code, which may include costs to relocate, remove, store, destroy or dispose of a vessel; costs to remediate or mitigate damage or threatened damage to the environment caused by the violation; costs to remediate or mitigate litter or debris caused by the violation; and the costs of enforcement of Chapter 388, Part 5, Ordinance Code. Notice of violation posted upon such vessel, shall be in substantially the following form: NOTICE TO THE OWNER AND ALL PERSONS WITH LEGAL INTEREST IN THE ATTACHED PROPERTY. This property, to wit: (setting forth brief description of vessel) is unlawfully upon public property known as (setting forth brief description of location) in violation of Section 388.503, Ordinance Code. THIS VESSEL MUST BE REMOVED WITHIN 5 DAYS; OTHERWISE, IT WILL BE REMOVED AND DISPOSED OF PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 705, FLORIDA STATUTES OR CHAPTER 388, PART 5, ORDINANCE CODE, AND A CITATION MAY BE ISSUED. A person to whom a citation is issued may request a hearing in the County Court to challenge the citation. The owner or other person legally responsible for the vessel will be liable for all costs incurred by the City to abate the violation, as described in Section 388.103(l), Ordinance Code, which may include costs to abate the violation, costs to remediate or mitigate damage or threatened damage to the environment caused by the violation, and the costs of enforcement of Chapter 388, Part 5, Ordinance Code. Dated this: (setting forth the date of posting of notice), signed: (setting forth name, title, address, and telephone number of law enforcement officer). (3) Whenever a law enforcement officer has reasonable cause to believe that a vessel, reported as lost or abandoned, is a lost or abandoned vessel and is anchored, moored, or affixed to a public dock or public mooring, the officer shall cause notice of violation to be served as described in this Section. Notice of violation shall be in writing, shall specify the violation alleged with reference to the relevant ordinance, and shall direct that the vessel be removed from the waters of the county within a reasonable time, not less than 48 hours otherwise a citation may be issued to the owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the vessel. Notice shall include that a person who has been issued a citation may request a hearing in the County Court to challenge a citation issued. Notice shall include a conspicuous statement that if the owner or other person legally responsible for the vessel has not removed this vessel from the waters of the county within 48 hours, it will be removed and disposed of pursuant to F.S. Ch. 705, or Chapter 388, Part 5, Ordinance Code. The notice shall also inform that in addition to fines and penalties, the owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the floating structure may be liable for all costs incurred by the City to abate the violation, as described in Section 388.103(l), Ordinance Code, which may include costs to relocate, remove, store, destroy or dispose of a vessel; costs to remediate or mitigate damage or threatened damage to the environment caused by the violation; costs to remediate or mitigate litter or debris caused by the violation; and the costs of enforcement of Chapter 388, Part 5, Ordinance Code. Notice of violation posted upon such vessel, shall be in substantially the following form: NOTICE TO THE OWNER AND ALL PERSONS WITH LEGAL INTEREST IN THE ATTACHED PROPERTY. This property, to wit: (setting forth brief description of vessel) is unlawfully upon public property known as (brief description of location) in violation of Section 388.503, Ordinance Code. THIS VESSEL MUST BE REMOVED WITHIN 48 HOURS OTHERWISE, IT WILL BE REMOVED AND DISPOSED OF PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 705, FLORIDA STATUTES, OR CHAPTER 388, PART 5, ORDINANCE CODE, AND A CITATION MAY BE ISSUED. A person to whom a citation is issued may request a hearing in the County Court to challenge the citation. The owner or other person legally responsible for the vessel will be liable for all costs incurred by the City to abate the violation, as described in Section 388.103(l), Ordinance Code, which may include costs to abate the violation, costs to remediate or mitigate damage or threatened damage to the environment caused by the violation, and the costs of enforcement of Chapter 388, Part 5, Ordinance Code. Dated this: (setting forth the date of posting of notice), signed: (setting forth name, title, address, and telephone number of law enforcement officer). (d) Notice required to be posted to a vessel shall not be less than eight inches by ten inches and shall be sufficiently weatherproof to withstand normal exposure to the elements. (e) On the date of posting notice to a vessel, or as soon thereafter as is practical, the officer shall also serve a copy of such notice as follows, (1) If the name and address of the owner is known to the officer or ascertained by reasonable effort, by: a. Certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last address listed in vessel registration record for the state of registration; if the vessel is not registered, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address listed in the tax collector's office for tax notices or to the address listed in the County property appraiser's database. If the vessel is owned by a corporation, notices may be provided by certified mail to the registered agent of the corporation. If notice sent by certified mail is not signed as received within 14 days after the postmarked date of mailing, notice may be provided by posting as described in subparagraph (3); b. Hand delivery by the sheriff or other law enforcement officer, or code enforcement officer; c. Certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person's usual place of residence, if known; or leaving the notice at the person's usual place of residence with any person residing therein who is above 15 years of age and informing such person of the contents of the notice; or, d. In the case of commercial premises, leaving the notice with the manager or other person in charge. (2) If the owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the vessel is not known or cannot be ascertained upon reasonable effort such notice shall also be posted in the following two locations for a period of at least 21 days: a. Posted at the primary municipal government office in the jurisdiction of the location of the vessel; and, b. By publication in print in a newspaper or on a publicly accessible website, as provided in F.S. § 50.0311, for three consecutive weeks. If published in print, the notice shall be published once during each week for three consecutive weeks (three publications being sufficient) in a newspaper in the county, such newspaper shall meet such requirements as are prescribed under F.S. Ch. 50 for legal and official advertisements. (3) If the owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the vessel is known or ascertained by reasonable effort, in addition to providing notice or attempting notice as set forth in subsection (1), notice may be served by posting as described in this subsection. (f) A copy of the notice shall be sent to the lien holder, if any, by certified mail, return receipt requested, on the same day as posting, mailing or publishing, or as soon as practicable thereafter. Failure in notice to the lien holder, if any, does not invalidate an otherwise validly issued citation. (g) Proof of posting or publishing shall be by affidavit of the person posting or publishing the notice, which affidavit shall include a copy of the notice, posted or published, and the dates and locations of posting or publishing. (h) Evidence of posting as provided in subsection (c), together with proof of posting and publishing as provided in subsection (e)(2), and if the owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the vessel is known or ascertained by reasonable effort, proof that an attempt has been made to hand deliver or mail notice as provided in subsection (e)(1), shall be sufficient to show that the notice requirements of this Part have been met, without regard to whether or not the alleged violator actually received such notice. (Ord. 2025-432-E, § 7)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 388.505 Citations; Form and service of citation.

Sec. 388.505. - Citations; Form and service of citation. (a) Whenever a law enforcement officer with reasonable cause to believe that a vessel on the waters of the county is in violation of this Part, after notification of violation and after the time period for the opportunity for the violator to correct the violation, if required, has lapsed, such officer has the authority to issue a citation consistent with this Part. (b) A citation issued pursuant to this Part shall contain: (1) The date and time of issuance. (2) The name and address of the person to whom the citation is issued; (3) The date and time of the violation; (4) The number or Section of the Ordinance Code which has been violated; (5) A description of the vessel: the registration number of the vessel; the name of the title owner of the vessel (if known); Hull identification number; the general description of the vessel including, make, model, color and length; and the name of the vessel (if known); (6) The location of the violation, to include: a general physical description and G.P.S.; (7) Facts constituting reasonable cause to believe the violation has occurred or is occurring. (8) The name and agency authority of the Officer issuing the citation; (9) The procedure for the person to follow in order to pay the civil penalty or to contest the citation, which may include a reference to the Jacksonville.gov webpage that contains such information. (10) The applicable civil penalty if the person elects to contest the citation, and the applicable civil penalty if the person elects not to contest the citation. (11) A conspicuous statement that if the person fails to pay the civil penalty within the time allowed, or fails to appear in court to contest the citation, he or she shall be deemed to have waived the right to contest the citation and that, in such case, judgement may be entered against the person for an amount up to the maximum civil penalty. (12) A conspicuous statement that in addition to any penalties under law, the City may recover from the owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the vessel, for all costs incurred by the City to abate the violation, as described in Section 388.103(l), which may include costs to relocate, remove, store, destroy or dispose of a vessel; costs to remediate or mitigate damage or threatened damage to the environment caused by the violation; costs to remediate or mitigate litter or debris caused by the violation; and the costs of enforcement of this Part. (c) If the owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the vessel is known or ascertained by reasonable effort, service of a citation shall be effectuated upon such person by: (1) Certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last address listed in vessel registration record for the state of registration; if the vessel is not registered, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address listed in the tax collector's office for tax notices or to the address listed in the County property appraiser's database. If the vessel or floating structure is owned by a corporation, citations may be provided by certified mail to the registered agent of the corporation. If a citation sent by certified mail is not signed as received within 14 days after the postmarked date of mailing, the citation may be posted in a weatherproof covering in a conspicuous location upon the vessel; (2) Hand delivery by the sheriff or other law enforcement officer; (3) Certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person's usual place of residence, if known; or leaving the citation at the person's usual place of residence with any person residing therein who is above 15 years of age and informing such person of the contents of the citation; or (4) In the case of commercial premises, leaving the citation with the manager or other person in charge. (d) Within five days after issuing a citation, the issuing officer shall deposit the original and one copy of the citation with the County Court and shall transmit a copy of the citation to the Director of the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department, or designee. (e) The County Court in and for the Fourth Judicial Circuit is the Court of competent jurisdiction for citations issued pursuant to this Part. (Ord. 2025-432-E, § 7)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 388.506 Disposition of Abandoned or Lost Vessels.

Sec. 388.506. - Disposition of Abandoned or Lost Vessels. (a) If, at the end of five days after posting the notice under Section 388.504(c)(2), or at the end of 48 hours after posting the notice under Section 388.504(c)(3), no party legally responsible for the vessel has removed the vessel from the waters of the county or shown reasonable cause for failure to do so, the vessel may be removed or relocated by law enforcement. Relocation or removal under this subsection does not prevent the issuance of a citation under this Part. As soon as practicable after the vessel has been removed or relocated pursuant to this subsection, notice shall be effectuated by the methods described for notice of violation in this Part. The notice shall include the location where the vessel is being held and how to reclaim the vessel, including that the owner or other interested party with legal standing on the disposition of the vessel must make a claim to the vessel within 21 days of notice of removal or relocation and must pay the costs for removal, relocation and storage, within 30 days of the attempt to reclaim the vessel. If no person makes a claim to the vessel within 21 days of notice of removal or relocation, or if a rightful attempts to reclaim the vessel within 21 days but fails to pay costs of removal, relocation and storage within 30 days of the attempt to reclaim, the vessel may be designated as a Lost or Abandoned Vessel, subject to subsection (f), below. (b) As to a vessel described in Section 388.411(c), or a vessel described in Section 388.503, if the owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the vessel is not known or cannot be ascertained upon reasonable effort, after notice of violation as provided in Section 388.408 as to a Section 388.411(c) vessel, and Section 388.504 as to a Section 388.503 vessel, and no person legally responsible for the vessel has caused the vessel to be removed within the term of days specified in the notice or shown reasonable cause for failure to do so, and no person has come forward to take responsibility for the vessel, the vessel may be designated as a Lost or Abandoned Vessel, subject to subsection (f), below. (c) As to a vessel described in Section 388.311(a) or Section 388.411(b), if the owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the vessel is known or ascertained by reasonable effort, and the owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the vessel has disavowed responsibility for the vessel and no other owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the vessel is known, the vessel may be designated as a Lost or Abandoned Vessel, subject to subsection (f), below. (d) As to a vessel described in Section 388.311(a), if, at the end of 21 days after service of the notice of violation as provided in Section 388.306, the owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the vessel has not caused the vessel to be removed within the term of days specified in the notice or shown reasonable cause for failure to do so, or if a vessel has been removed by law enforcement pursuant to Section 388.305(a), but the owner or other interested party with legal standing on the disposition of the vessel has not attempted to reclaim the vessel within the term of days specified in the notice, and if a citation has been issued the term of days to contest a citation has lapsed, the vessel may be designated as a Lost or Abandoned Vessel, subject to subsection (f), below. (e) As to a vessel described in Section 388.411(a), if a vessel has been impounded and stored pursuant to Section 388.411(a) for over 30 days and either, no owner or other interested party with legal standing on the disposition of the vessel has attempted to reclaim the vessel within the term of days specified in the notice or the owner or other interested party with legal standing on the disposition of the vessel made claim to the vessel but failed to timely pay the cost of towing, cost of impoundment and storage fees, the vessel may be designated as a Lost or Abandoned Vessel, subject to subsection (f), below. (f) An Abandoned Vessel or Lost Vessel may be removed or relocated by a law enforcement officer, and, (1) As to an Abandoned Vessel, the City may retain the property for its own use or for use, trade the property to another unit of local government or state agency, donate the property to a charitable organization, sell the property, or dispose of the property. (2) As to a Lost Vessel, the City shall take custody and the agency shall retain custody of the property for 90 days, and shall publish notice of the intended disposition of the property during the first 45 days of this time period, as provided, a. If the City elects to retain the property for use by the unit of government, donate the property to a charitable organization, surrender such property to the finder, sell the property, or trade the property to another unit of local government or state agency, notice of such election shall be given by an advertisement published once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the property was found if the value of the property is more than $100. If the value of the property is $100 or less, notice shall be given by posting a description of the property at the law enforcement agency where the property was turned in. The notice must be posted for not less than two consecutive weeks in a public place designated by the law enforcement agency. The notice must describe the property in a manner reasonably adequate to permit the rightful owner of the property to claim it. b. If the City elects to sell the property, it must do so at public sale by competitive bidding. Notice of the time and place of the sale shall be given by an advertisement of the sale published once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the sale is to be held. The notice shall include a statement that the sale shall be subject to any and all liens. The sale must be held at the nearest suitable place to where the lost or abandoned property is held or stored. The advertisement must include a description of the goods and the time and place of the sale. The sale may take place no earlier than ten days after the final publication. Notice of the intended disposition shall describe the property in a manner reasonably adequate to permit the rightful owner of the property to identify it. (g) Upon the expiration of the 90-day custodial time period and the notice requirements specified in Section 388.504(f)(2), have been met, unless the rightful owner or a lienholder claims the property within that time, pursuant to F.S. § 705.104, title to a lost or abandoned vessel vests in the finder of the vessel. (h) If a lost vessel is sold at public sale pursuant to subsection (f)(2)b the City shall deduct from the proceeds the costs of transportation, storage, and publication of notice, including costs as described in Section 388.503(c), and any balance of proceeds shall be deposited into an interest-bearing account not later than 30 days after the date of the sale and held there for 1 year. The City shall provide a bill of sale clearly stating that the sale is subject to any and all liens. The rightful owner of the property may claim the balance of the proceeds within 1 year from the date of the above stated deposit by making application to the agency. If no rightful owner comes forward with a claim to the property within the designated year, the balance of the proceeds shall be deposited into the Derelict and Abandoned Vessel and Floating Structure Enforcement and Removal Trust Fund, Section 111.787. (i) The owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for the vessel, who after notice of violation as provided in Section 388.504, does not remove such vessel within the specified period or show reasonable cause for failure to do so, is liable to the City for all costs incurred by the City to abate the violation, as described in Section 388.103(l), less any salvage value obtained by disposal of the vessel. Upon final disposition of the vessel, the City shall notify the owner, if known, of the amount owed. Notice shall be effectuated by the methods described for notice of violation in this Part. If the rightful owner does not pay such costs within 30 days of making claim to the property, title to the property shall vest in the City. The City may recover the costs as provided in Section 388.503(l). (j) Employees of any state, county, or municipal agency shall be deemed agents of such governmental entity, and a lost vessel or abandoned vessel found by them during the course of their official duties shall be turned in to the proper person or department designated to receive such property by the governmental entity. Such property turned in to the City shall be subject to the provisions of this Part, or F.S. Ch. 705, after which, if unclaimed by the rightful owner, the title to such property shall be vested in the City and not in the employee. (Ord. 2025-432-E, § 7)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 388.507 Bar on vessel and vehicle registration privileges as penalty for failure to pay costs.

Sec. 388.507. - Bar on vessel and vehicle registration privileges as penalty for failure to pay costs. In addition to any penalty for violation of this Part, a law enforcement officer or representative of the law enforcement agency or other governmental entity shall supply the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles with the name of any person who has neglected or refused to pay all costs of removal, storage, destruction, or disposal of an abandoned vessel or lost vessel, after having been provided written notice via certified mail that such costs are owed, and the person shall not be entitled to be issued a certificate of registration for such vessel, or any other vessel, or motor vehicle, until such costs have been paid, as provided in F.S. § 705.103(4). (Ord. 2025-432-E, § 7)

Source: City of Jacksonville, Ordinance Code and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/jacksonville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITXENAF_CH388BOWA_PT5ABVELOVEFetched: 10/27/2026