Q: Failure to pay for storage on a boat storage lot
I am assisting a friend that allows boat storage on his property. He has 2 boats that have been on his lot for over 24 months with no contact by the boat owners. What statutes or procedures address contacting the owners and or seizing the boats absent payment of the back rent. There is no written contract involved. Strictly a handshake agreement
A:
Good afternoon:
You must look into Alaska state law for available remedies. If the contract was purely for land storage and no maritime services were rendered, maritime law would not apply and the land owner may not seize (or arrest) the vessel in federal court under admiralty procedures. However, a similar remedy may be available under Alaska law so we recommend you contact a local attorney for advise.
Hope this was helpful.
Best Regards,
Alberto J. Castañer
A:
I agree with Mr. Castañer's good recommendation to reach out to local state attorneys. Even if there were circumstances that lent themselves to solutions under federal maritime law, those tend to be costly. Further, they are not always feasible for abandoned vessels, which often tend to hold low or no resale value. Good luck
Tim Akpinar
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