Section 523 Of Article 1. Wrecks And Wrecked Property From California Harbors And Navigation Code >> Division 3. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 1.
523
. (a) Any peace officer, as described in Section 663, or any
lifeguard or marine safety officer employed by a county, city, or
district while engaged in the performance of official duties, may
remove, and, if necessary, store a vessel removed from a public
waterway under any of the following circumstances:
(1) When the vessel is left unattended and is moored, docked,
beached, or made fast to land in a position that obstructs the normal
movement of traffic or in a condition that creates a hazard to other
vessels using the waterway, to public safety, or to the property of
another.
(2) When the vessel is found upon a waterway and a report has
previously been made that the vessel has been stolen or a complaint
has been filed and a warrant thereon issued charging that the vessel
has been embezzled.
(3) When the person or persons in charge of the vessel are by
reason of physical injuries or illness incapacitated to an extent as
to be unable to provide for its custody or removal.
(4) When an officer arrests any person operating or in control of
the vessel for an alleged offense, and the officer is, by any
provision of this code or other statute, required or permitted to
take, and does take, the person arrested before a magistrate without
unnecessary delay.
(5) When the vessel interferes with, or otherwise poses a danger
to, navigation or to the public health, safety, or welfare.
(6) When the vessel poses a threat to adjacent wetlands, levies,
sensitive habitat, any protected wildlife species, or water quality.
(7) When a vessel is found or operated upon a waterway with a
registration expiration date in excess of one year before the date on
which it is found or operated on the waterway.
(b) Costs incurred by a public entity pursuant to removal of
vessels under subdivision (a) may be recovered through appropriate
action in the courts of this state.