Adrift

Floating freely without being secured to the shore, seabed or another fixed point.

A vessel, boat or object may be adrift after parting a mooring, losing an anchor, being abandoned or being deliberately allowed to drift. Wind, waves and current then determine much or all of its movement unless propulsion or steering is restored.

Adrift does not by itself establish that property is abandoned or available for someone else to claim. Salvage rights and ownership depend on the circumstances and applicable law, while an uncontrolled vessel should be reported when it presents a danger.