46 U.S.C. § 4702: Abandonment of barge prohibited

An owner or operator of a barge may not abandon it on the navigable waters of the United States. A barge is deemed not to be abandoned if—(1) it is located at a Federally- or State-approved mooring area; (2) it is on private property with the permission of the owner of the property; or (3) the owner or operator notifies the Secretary that the barge is not abandoned and the location of the barge.