I think they do although I often wonder how that came about. In harbors like this, some have federal designated anchorages. But Newport has jurisdiction to impose ordinances on public access and use of the waters, and apparently to set laws for federal waters usage. I don't know if there are fed laws in place they can not overstep?

This seems like a good compromise to me. The fed anchorage is open to transiting sailors and liveaboards can use it but have to adhere to certain local regs. Those regs have been needed in the last few decades in order to keep our anchorages open for the use they have served for generations. The regs even time limits don't seem much of a problem to me. I'll gladly take them as opposed to losing anchorages.

In this case, it looks like the owner simply did not respond to repeated attempts to contact(satisfying the towns definition of "abandoned"). The unusual thing to me is this type of boat has not been the subject of the abandoned boat problem many southern harbors have had to deal with.

"Last skippered by Richard Littauer, the vessel arrived in Newport some time in September 2011 flying a foreign flag. She dropped anchor in the federal anchorage just off King Park – a popular spot for live-aboards and seasonal cruisers – and she's been there ever since.

But soon after she arrived, it became clear that she wasn't being tended to.

Nor was the captain responding to Mills.

That proved cause for concern, as under city ordinance, any vessel deemed derelict or abandoned may be subject to removal by the harbormaster.""