§200-47.5  Vessel aground on stateproperty.  (a)  All vessels grounded on state submerged lands, shorelines,or coral reefs shall be removed immediately by the owner or operator at theowner's or operator's expense.  Vessels grounded on a sand beach, sandbar, ormudflat and not in imminent danger of breaking up shall be removed withinseventy-two hours, unless otherwise agreed to by the department.  Damage tostate or private property caused by a grounded vessel shall be the soleresponsibility of the vessel's owner or operator.

(b)  Solely for the purposes of removal andwith no liability to the department, the department may assume control of anyvessel that:

(1)  Is grounded on a coral reef or in imminent dangerof breaking up; and

(2)  Cannot be immediately removed by the owner withinseventy-two hours in a manner that is reasonably safe, as determined by thedepartment.

Once the department assumes control over the vessel,the vessel shall be removed by conventional salvage methods to minimize damageto the natural resources and not become a hazard to navigation.  All costs andexpenses of removing the vessel and damage to state or private property shallbe the sole responsibility of the vessel's owner or operator.  This sectionshall apply whether the vessel is attended or deemed derelict under section200-48. 

(c)  The department may take legal action tocollect any costs or expenses incurred by the department for any removal underthis section.  All moneys collected shall be deposited in the boating specialfund.

(d)  Any person who renders assistance to thedepartment when it acts pursuant to subsection (b) and any person who, in goodfaith and without remuneration or expectation of remuneration, rendersassistance at the scene of a vessel grounded on a coral reef or in imminentdanger of breaking up shall not be liable for any civil damages resulting fromthe person's acts or omissions in providing or arranging towage or otherassistance, except for damages caused by the person's gross negligence orwanton acts or omissions. [L 2006, c 134, §1; am L 2008, c 96, §1]