A “homemade vessel” refers to a vessel that was built from scratch by the owner (i.e., I am a carpenter and purchased wood to build my vessel). According to the U.S. Coast Guard, homebuilt vessels are constructed by individuals for their own use and not offered for sale. Because of this, these vessels may not always be built to recreational vessel safety requirements in 46 USC §43 and 33 CFR Subchapter S. The owner should apply for a state assigned HIN from the state issuing authority in the state in which the vessel will be principally operated.
Sale of Homebuilt Vessels. The intention of federal regulations to prohibit the sale of homebuilt recreational vessels that may not meet the safety standards is found within 46 U.S.C. §43 and 33 CFR Subchapter S. However, the Coast Guard recognizes that the sale of homebuilt recreational vessels may be appropriate in limited circumstances.
To allow for the sale of homebuilt recreational vessels, the Coast Guard has determined that the homebuilt recreational vessel must:
As of June 1, 2018, Alabama Act 2018-179 established a formal statewide program, administered through the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), to address abandoned or derelict vessels (ADVs). There are also non-governmental organizations that are involved with the removal and disposal of ADVs, including the Dog River Clearwater Revival, which has worked with Sea Grant and the NOAA Marine Debris Program to remove vessels from the state’s waterways.
Funding
The Alabama Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Fund, established June 2018 and managed by the Secretary of ALEA, is for payment of the seizure, removal, transportation, preservation, storage, advertisement, appraisal, and disposal of a derelict vessel.
Legislative Overview
Effective June 1, 2018, Act 2018-179, relating to derelict and abandoned vessels, authorizes the removal of a vessel from the waters of this state under certain conditions by a law enforcement officer or a private property owner. Vessels that are found adrift are covered under §35-13-1, Code of Ala. 1975, which states that any person may take up and secure “all property adrift.” In addition, Alabama has laws that make it unlawful to place a “dangerous vessel” in a harbor in the state. Under §33-1-33, Code of Ala. 1975, any owner or agency in control of a vessel that is anchored, moored, or made fast to the shore illegally, or is liable to sink or pollute, or deemed to be derelict, can be charged with a fine if they fail to remove it.
Point of Contact
Please see the link below for additional vessel information:
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The title application fee is $20 for each application for Alabama certificate of title for a vessel.
Designated Agents shall add the sum of $5 as the commission for each application processed.
License Plate Issuing Officials shall collect an additional $5 as the commission for each application processed. The $5 is deposited in a separate fund maintained by the licensing official to be used in his or her sole discretion for any legal purpose in the operation of his or her office.
The application for vessel title must be electronically submitted to ALDOR and contain the following:
The owner of a vessel for which this state is the state of principal use shall deliver to the office an application for a certificate of title for the vessel, with the applicable fee, no later than 20 days after the later of:
A vessel the ownership of which is recorded in a registry maintained by a country other than the United States which identifies each person that has an ownership interest in a vessel and includes a unique alphanumeric designation for the vessel.
