Ch. 6 LAWS OF MARYLAND
during removal and custody of the vessel[,]; and

(4) [state] STATE that failure to claim the vessel will constitute:

(I) [a] A waiver of all right, title, and interest in the vessel[,]; and

(II) [will constitute a] A consent to the Department's disposition of
the vessel.

(f) If the owner or secured party fails to claim the abandoned vessel within 3
weeks after the certified mail notice or after the notice by publication is given, the
Department may sell the vessel at public auction, proceed to receive title to the vessel
pursuant to § 8-722 OF THIS SUBTITLE, or otherwise dispose of the vessel.

(g) If the abandoned vessel is in [such] a condition of disrepair that the
Department cannot remove [it] THE VESSEL intact, the Department may dispose of
[it] THE VESSEL in whatever manner is reasonable without providing the notice
required under subsections (c) through (e) OF THIS SECTION.

(h) The Department may delegate [its] THE DEPARTMENT'S authority to
remove and dispose of abandoned vessels under this section to any local jurisdiction.

8-722.

(a) This section applies only to vessels apparently abandoned for over [six] 6
months.

(b) [A] SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, A landowner,
[his] A LANDOWNER'S lessee, or [his] A LANDOWNER'S agent [, subject to the
provisions of this section, ] may acquire title to any vessel apparently abandoned on
[his] THE LANDOWNER'S land or the water immediately adjacent to [it] THE
LANDOWNER'S LAND. Acquisition of title divests any other person of any interest in
the vessel.

(c) (1) If a vessel has a boat number or other means of identifying [its] THE
VESSEL'S owner, the person desiring to acquire title, if possible, shall secure the
owner's last known address, and the lienholder, if any, appearing on the Department's
records. [He] THE PERSON shall notify this owner and the [lien holder]
LIENHOLDER by registered letter to the last known address [that] THAT, if
ownership is not claimed and the vessel removed within 30 days, [he] THE. PERSON
will apply for title to the vessel in [his] THE PERSON'S name. If any vessel's owner or
[lien holder] LIENHOLDER cannot be identified or address ascertained from the
Department's records, it is not necessary to send the letter.

(2) The person desiring to acquire title also shall place a notice in a paper
of general circulation published in the county where the vessel is located, describing the
vessel, [its] THE VESSEL'S location, and any identifying number. The person shall
state in the notice [that] THAT, if the vessel is not claimed and removed within 30 days
after the publication date of the paper, [he] THE PERSON will apply for title to the
vessel in [his] THE PERSON'S name.

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