12:7C-2 - Forfeiture;  notice;  sale

12:7C-2.  Forfeiture;  notice;  sale    Any such abandoned flat-bottomed boat, barge, scow or raft which is moored,  grounded, or otherwise attached or fastened to or upon any public land or  waterway or to or upon any private property in violation of section 1 of this  act shall be seized and forfeited to the municipality in which such violation  occurred;  provided, however, that said forfeiture shall not become effective  until the municipality shall cause written notice of the pendency thereof to be  sent to the last known address of the owner of such vessel and shall further  cause a copy thereof to be posted upon said vessel stating that unless the  vessel is removed within 72 hours of the posting of the notice forfeiture shall  occur.  The forfeiture provisions of this section shall not apply to innocent  owners, nor shall they affect the rights of a holder of a valid lien.  After a  period of at least 90 days has elapsed from the date of forfeiture, the  municipality may sell such abandoned flat-bottomed boat, barge, scow or raft at  auction in a public place, after giving notice of such sale by certified mail  to the owner, if his name and address be known, and to the holder of any security interest, and by publication at least 5 days before the date of sale  in one newspaper circulating in the municipality in which such abandoned  flat-bottomed boat, barge, scow or raft is to be sold.

     L.1969, c. 264, s. 2, eff. Jan. 9, 1970.