(a) Any peace officer who finds a vessel which has been left unattended in or upon any public waters or other public property for a period of at least five days shall be authorized to cause such vessel to be removed to a garage or other place of safety if such peace officer reasonably believes that the person who left such vessel unattended does not intend to return and remove such vessel.

(b) Any peace officer who finds a vessel which has been left unattended in or upon any public waters or other public property shall be authorized immediately to cause such vessel to be removed to a garage or other place of safety when such vessel poses a threat to public health or safety.

(c) Any peace officer who, under the provisions of this Code section, causes any vessel to be removed to a garage or other place of safety shall be liable for gross negligence only.

(d)(1) Any peace officer or the law enforcement agency which causes a vessel to be removed to a garage or other place of safety or which is notified of the removal of a vessel from private waters or private property shall within 72 hours from the time of removal or notice and if the owner is unknown:

(A) Notify the Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Crime Information Center of the description of the vessel and the location to which such vessel has been removed; and

(B) If available on the Georgia Crime Information Center Network, determine the name and address of the last known registered owner of such vessel.

(2) If the name and address of the last known registered owner of the vessel is obtained from the Georgia Crime Information Center, the peace officer who causes the vessel to be removed shall, within three calendar days, make available to the person removing such vessel the name and address of the last known registered owner of such vessel. If such information is not available, the peace officer shall, within three calendar days, notify the person removing or storing such vessel of such fact.