Vessel Titling Act

The Vessel Titling Act governs the ownership records for boats and other watercraft, requiring that vessels be documented through a state-issued certificate of title obtained by application to the responsible agency. It sets out who may apply, what the application must contain, how titles are transferred, and the duties of owners to report changes such as a new address, while making the certificate and the underlying registration evidence of ownership that may be rebutted by contrary proof. It also establishes a titling-based system for perfecting security interests in vessels: liens are noted on the face of the certificate, which serves as notice to third parties, with rules on filing deadlines, priority among competing interests, release once a debt is satisfied, and the effect of an execution levy.

Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.