(A) The Harbormaster may take immediate possession and/or impound and remove any vessel within his jurisdiction:
(1) To abate derelicts and nuisances;
(2) For failure to comply with the registration provisions of this title;
(3) That is obstructing port traffic and the vessel operator is unable, fails or refuses to immediately attend to and remove the vessel such that it no longer obstructs port traffic;
(4) Whose operator reasonably appears incapable of safely operating the vessel or appears incapable of directing the disposition of the same;
(5) Whose operator refuses to properly identify themselves upon lawful request of the Harbormaster, or refuses or fails to obey an order of the Harbormaster to proceed to or from an area following issuance of a citation or in an emergency;
(6) Whose operator operates a vessel in a reckless manner under § 18.20.030, in a negligent manner under § 18.12.040, or in another manner so as to endanger the safety of others or to unreasonably interfere with the navigation of other vessels, and the Harbormaster believes such operation would continue unless possession of the vessel be taken;
(7) That is moored in a reserved mooring space assigned to another after reasonable efforts were made at attempting to contact the vessel operator to move the vessel in question, or who, after receiving notification to move the vessel, refuses to do so;
(8) That is moored at a loading area or launch ramp area for a period of time longer than permitted;
(9) That is in imminent danger of sinking; or
(10) That constitutes a fire hazard to itself, port facilities or other property.
(B) When taking possession or impounding as authorized by this chapter, the Harbormaster may impound the vessel in place by chaining or otherwise mooring it to a float or other suitable object, or if practical by removing it from the water and placing it in either city or commercial land storage. Vessels not practical to impound by moving, mooring or removing from the water may be impounded by posting a notice of impoundment in the places set out in § 18.20.030.
(C) The Harbormaster may appoint a custodian to maintain and safekeep the vessel while it remains impounded. In the discretion of the Harbormaster, such custodian may be the operator of the vessel.
(D) Upon impoundment of a vessel, it shall be unlawful for any person:
(1) To move, load, unload, rebuild, or enter upon such vessel without written permission from the Harbormaster, other than for necessary maintenance and repair to prevent deterioration of the same or sinking; and
(2) To remove, mutilate, destroy or conceal any notice or sign posted by the Harbormaster pursuant to this section.
(Am. Ord. 2021-03, passed 1-26-2021)