"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:54:52 -0500, Jim wrote:

I thought a derelict vessel was an abandoned vessel.
If there are folks living on a vessel - like a Wilbur Hubbard for
example - you might call that a vessel in need of TLC, or a decrepit
vessel, or a floating pile of crap.

Theoretically you are correct, a true derelict must be abandoned.
I've taken the liberty of expanding the definition slightly to include
totally unseaworthy vessels that are no longer capable of going
anywhere and have fallen into a very neglected state. In truth, most
vessels like that eventually become true derelicts even if someone is
living aboard them at the moment. As long as Wilbur's boat still has
a mast, rigging, sails and a working engine, it might still be
seaworthy. Who knows.

If it floats, it's technically a boat. If the keel is resting on bottom,
and parts are still above the water line, I'm not sure. Seen lots of wrecks
on the beach like that and wondered about ownership. There was a partially
sunken concrete boat near the Quarantine Island in Galveston where a spy hid
out during WW2. Had to be dedicated or crazy. Me thinks if it will float
and move under power, if even human, it's technically a boat.

Steve