Starting this Tuesday the 16th, it will be a crime to abandon a watercraft or outboard motor on public land or water.

This doesn’t apply to emergency situations, but the boat or watercraft is expected to be recovered if such an event occurs. An abandoned watercraft is one that has been moored, stranded, wrecked, is sinking, or sunk, and has been left unattended for more than 45 days.

The State’s new abandoned boat law stipulates that all expenses for the removal of any abandoned watercraft will be provided by the owner. Fines upon conviction of this misdemeanor are between $1000 and $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 30 days.

* UPDATE 2/26/09: The City of Charleston has approved a new law prohibiting abandoned boats and outboard motors in public waters within city limits also. Here’s a short video about the abandoned boat problem.

* UPDATE 4/1/9: Boats Too Costly to Keep Are Littering Coastlines

“I am overinsured on this boat. If I make it go away so no one will find it, the insurance company will give me enough to cover the debt and I’ll make something on the deal as well.”