When a watercraft is operated or maintained in violation of the provisions of law or negligently and carelessly and any person receives personal injury or property is damaged thereby, the damages done to such person or property shall be and constitute a lien next in priority to the lien for State and county taxes upon such watercraft, including any outboard motor that may be attached to it, recoverable in any court of competent jurisdiction and the person sustaining such damage may attach such watercraft, including any outboard motor that may be attached to it, in the manner provided by law for attachments in this State. But this lien shall not exist if the watercraft or any outboard motor attached to it shall have been stolen by the breaking of a building under a secure lock or when the watercraft or any outboard motor attached to it is securely locked, nor when the damage is sustained upon waters within the jurisdiction of Federal admiralty courts.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 45-553; 1952 Code Section 45-553; 1942 Code Section 8793; 1933 (38) 461.