Who is Responsible for a Sunken Vessel?

[davefromoregon]

A couple years ago, a 45’ cruiser was let loose on the Columbia river by a marina that was shutting down. It washed up against the dock of another marina and sank. Guess which marina got tagged with the $100k removal fee when it sank shortly after washing up?

[meirriba]

Simple formally complicated to enforce
Owner is responsible.
Insurance may help the owner to recover cost or may become the formal owner if vessel was declared total loss.
Two problems
1. Is there an authority in the area that wants to enforce the wreck removal?
2. Is the formal owner solvable?

[Sail Sail]

The owner and their insurance company.