Marina Liens for Unpaid Slip Fees

A marina can hold a vessel for unpaid dockage and, in the end, sell it. But every state sets its own sequence of notices and waiting periods, and a sale that skips one is the marina's problem, not the boater's.

Here is the sequence in four states, with the citations.

Not legal advice. Follow the statute in force and confirm each step with counsel before a sale.

Florida — Fla. Stat. § 328.17

• The lien covers storage, dockage, repairs and preservation (§ 328.17(4)(a)).
• Notice: written, to the owner (in person or by certified mail, and posted at the marina and on the vessel) and to every lienholder of record — DHSMV security interests, USCG preferred mortgages and claims of lien, UCC secured parties and Florida judgment lienholders — at least 60 days before any sale. An out-of-state or foreign vessel needs a lien search in its state or country of registry.
• Sale: if still unpaid 60 days after the notice, the marina may sell (or remove the vessel at the owner's expense) after advertising once a week for 2 consecutive weeks, with the sale no sooner than 15 days after the first publication.
• Redemption: the owner or a lienholder may redeem any time before the sale.

Texas — Tex. Prop. Code ch. 70

• The lien: a possessory lien for repairs (§ 70.001) or for the care of a motorboat, vessel or outboard motor (§ 70.003(c)).
• Notice for a titled vessel: written, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner and each lienholder on the certificate of title, with the amount of the charges and a request for payment (§ 70.006(a)–(b)).
• Filing: a copy of the notice goes to the county tax assessor-collector, with a $25 administrative fee.
• Sale: the owner may redeem before the 31st day after that filing, and the public sale may not take place before it (§ 70.006(e)–(f)).

Michigan — Marina and Boatyard Storage Lien Act, MCL 570.371–570.379

• The lien covers storage, rent, labor, repairs, materials and sale expenses (§ 570.373(1)).
• Notice of the lien before enforcing: through a signed agreement carrying a lien notice, or by mail; without a written agreement, no enforcement until 30 days after that notice (§ 570.374).
• Default: once it has run more than 180 days, notice of default by certified mail to the owner and the Secretary of State (and any other registry), with a copy to each lienholder of record, demanding payment within at least 30 days of delivery.
• Sale: then advertise once a week for 2 consecutive weeks, with the sale at least 15 days after the first advertisement, as a commercially reasonable public sale (§ 570.375). The owner may redeem until the sale concludes (§ 570.378).

California — Harbors and Navigation Code § 503

For a vessel valued over $1,500:

• DMV authorization first: the lienholder applies under penalty of perjury. Within 15 days the DMV notifies the registered and legal owners and every listed claimant and places a registration and title stop.
• Opposition: a recipient has 15 days from mailing to return a declaration of opposition; after that, the sale needs a court judgment or a release.
• Notice of sale: once authorized, by certified mail to the owners, all known interest holders and the DMV 20 days before the sale, plus one newspaper notice 10 to 30 days before. Every notice states the make, hull number, registration state, and the date, time and place of sale.

A vessel valued at $1,500 or less follows § 504, which this article does not cover.

Where Proprietio fits

Marina management software runs the vessel lien as a state checklist — Florida, California and Texas today, Michigan in review — with the owner and lienholder notices, filings and waiting periods gated step by step, next to slip agreements, waitlists and the books.

Sources

• Fla. Stat. § 328.17: leg.state.fl.us
• Tex. Prop. Code ch. 70: statutes.capitol.texas.gov
• MCL 570.371–570.379: legislature.mi.gov
• Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code § 503: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

Read on 2026-10-20.