ALEA Arrests Man in Connection to Abandoned Vessel in Orange Beach

On Wednesday, Jan. 8, Troopers assigned to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division arrested James H. Hamrac III, 52, of Orange Beach, under Alabama's Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Law.

On Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, a boating incident occurred when the 2014 Nautic Star Hamrac was operating struck a jetty at Perdido Pass in Orange Beach. Following the Aug. 12 incident, Hamrac refused to remove the vessel from the jetty. As a result, the vessel was ultimately removed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). Subsequently, Hamrac was charged with Derelict Vessel 33-5A-11(B)(3), and was initially booked into the City of Orange Beach Jail, however, was later transported to the Baldwin County Jail.

Alabama Act 2018-179, which went into effect, June 1, 2018, established a formal statewide program, administered through ALEA, to address abandoned or derelict vessels (ADVs). Act 2018-179 makes it unlawful for the owner of a derelict vessel to refuse or fail to remove the derelict vessel from the waters of this state within 24 hours after a verbal or written request from a law enforcement officer.

ALEA would like to thank ADCNR, the City of Orange Beach and the Baldwin County District Attorney's Office for their assistance with this investigation. Nothing further is available as ALEA Marine Patrol Troopers continue to investigate.