971.25 ABANDONMENT FORBIDDEN; PROCEDURES FOR REDEEMING OR DISPOSING OF ABANDONED WATERCRAFT OR OUTBOARD MOTOR.

   No person shall abandon any watercraft at any time on the waters of this City.

   (a)    Any watercraft or outboard motor found unattended in a sunken, beached or drifting condition shall be deemed abandoned by the owner. In the interest of the public safety, such watercraft or outboard motor may be removed and impounded for safekeeping and disposal in accordance with the provisions in subsections (b) through (e) hereof.

   (b)    Such watercraft or outboard motor may be impounded by any law enforcement officer having jurisdiction in the water area where such abandoned watercraft or outboard motor is found.

   (c)    The owner of such impounded watercraft or outboard motor, if he is known or can be found, shall be notified and the owner shall be permitted to redeem such watercraft or outboard motor by payment of a storage fee not to exceed one dollar ($1.00) per day plus the actual cost incurred in the removal of such watercraft or outboard motor.

   (d)    When the owner of such watercraft or outboard motor cannot be found, the impounded watercraft or outboard motor shall be held at the place of safekeeping for a period of time not less than ninety days nor longer than six months.

   (e)    Any watercraft or outboard motor unclaimed by the owner at the expiration of the time set forth in subsection (d) hereof shall be disposed of by destroying such watercraft or outboard motor or by offering such watercraft or outboard motor for sale at public auction.

   (f)    All money received by reason of the sale at public auction shall be deposited in the General Fund of the City. (ORC 1547.30)