(a) The local law of the jurisdiction under whose certificate of title a vessel is covered governs all issues relating to the certificate from the time the vessel becomes covered by the certificate until the vessel becomes covered by another certificate or becomes a documented vessel, even if no other relationship exists between the jurisdiction and the vessel or its owner.
(b) A vessel becomes covered by a certificate of title when an application for the certificate and the applicable fee are delivered to the department in accordance with this chapter or to the governmental agency that creates a certificate in another jurisdiction in accordance with the law of that jurisdiction.