I think what is being said is that the boat is not being sold but held until the owner ponies up the dough to the salvage company for doing a "service".

Ok, so held for "services rendered", so if in essense the owner does not want to pay for the salvage you can keep the boat but need to go to a court to get a title to be able to sell it - correct?

I most certainly suggest you find a new set of friends.

No idea on this part but I'd imagine if you don't pay salvage you can't claim a loss with insurance?

A few years ago there was a yacht that was grounded in a marine sanctuary on the gulf side of Key West during a hurricane . The owner had to keep a crew on for about two years before it could be removed. I was told that it could be salvaged if he did not keep the crew on board. What made it worse was that it had to float out on it's own because it was in a marine sanctuary. Who ever said that pirates dont exist today.

The real pirates are those in the suits.
States have some extra laws for their waters, but navigable waters may be open for some scam like this.

You mean sea tow didnt beat them to the punch????

are there any lawyers that are willing to answer this question? Smarty?!

time for someone to become a vigilante and shoot at will,

That's funny!

I guess this is like you abandon a car, the twon calls a towing company and tows it, you pay the bill or loose it at some point. I just didn't think a private individual on inland NJ waterways could go do this without the Marine Police, State Police someone giving them their blessing to clear up the debris - does not seem right