(a) The Police Chief, or any law enforcement officer with territorial jurisdiction, is authorized and empowered to enforce this article.
(b) The Police Chief is authorized to board any vessel, as required, to enforce the provisions of this article, or any federal or state law, and such boarding in the performance of official duties shall not constitute a trespass.
(c) The Police Chief is authorized to seize, tow, remove or relocate the vessel from the public waters, and to store or dock the vessel in a safe place, as a result of arresting the operator, or taking any enforcement action that would render the vessel unattended, or without an operator of suitable age, discretion and competence.
(d) The town or the Police Chief may use staff, equipment, and material under its control or provided by any cooperating federal, state, or local government or agency; may authorize or contract with any private agent or contractor it deems appropriate; or may authorize or contract with any federal, state, or local government or agency for the removal, storage, or disposal of an abandoned vessel and restoration of the affected area.
(e) The method of removal, storage, or disposal of the abandoned vessel, whether by the owner, a third party, the Police Chief, the town, or the state, must comply with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and rules.
(f) The owner shall be responsible for all costs of towing, relocation, removal, and storage of the vessel, including costs owed to a third party, and costs incurred by the town or the Police Department.
(g) The town, elected officials, the Police Chief, any law enforcement officer, or any contractor or any employee or agent thereof, acting under this article to remove or relocate a vessel from public waters, shall be held harmless for all damages to the vessel resulting from such removal or relocation, unless the damage results from gross negligence or willful misconduct.
(Ord. passed 1-3-2024)