(a) As used in this section, "abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor" means any vessel or outboard motor meeting all the following requirements:
(1) It has been left on public or private property for at least 72 hours without the permission of the person having the right of possession of the property; left in a sunken, beached or drifting condition for any period of time; or left within the right of way of any waterway for 48 hours or longer without notification to the designated law enforcement agency of the reasons for leaving the vessel or motor in any such place or condition;
(2) It is three years old or older;
(3) It is extensively damaged, such damage including, but not limited to, any of the following: missing deck, hull, transom, gunwales, motor or outdrive;
(4) It is apparently inoperable;
(5) It has a fair market value of two hundred dollars ($200.00) or less.
(b) The Chief of Police, upon notification, shall order any abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor to be photographed by a law enforcement officer. The officer shall record the make of the vessel or motor and the hull identification number or serial number when available, and shall also detail the damage or missing equipment to substantiate the value of two hundred dollars ($200.00) or less. The Chief of Police shall immediately dispose of the abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor to a marine salvage dealer or other facility owned, operated or under contract to the Municipal corporation for destruction of such vessel or motor. The records and photographs relating to the abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor shall be retained by the Police Department for a period of at least two years. The Chief of Police shall execute, in quadruplicate, an affidavit, as prescribed by the Chief of the Division of Parks and Watercraft, describing the vessel or motor and the manner in which it was disposed of, and that all requirements of this section have been complied with, and shall sign and file the same with the clerk of courts of the county in which the vessel or motor was abandoned. Any moneys arising from the disposal of an abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor shall be credited to the General Revenue Fund.
(c) If the junk vessel or outboard motor remains unclaimed by the owner or lienholder for a period of ten days or longer following notification as provided in Section 480.285(b), it may be disposed of as provided for in Ohio R.C. 1547.303.
(ORC 1547.303; Ord. 655-96. Passed 6-13-96.)