Uniform Certificate of Title Act for Vessels National Boating Safety Advisory Committee Arlington, VA April 13, 2012

UCOTA-V Uniform Code of Titling Act for Vessels (UCOTA-V) Drafted by the Uniform Law Commission with participation by CG, States, and industry. Adopted July 2011 by unanimous vote Is now available to states for ratification and adoption into state law. CG-54 and NVDC are in support of this Act.

UCOTA-V Principle objectives of the Act; qualify as a state titling law that the Coast Guard will certify; facilitate transfers of ownership of a vessel; deter and impede the theft of vessels by making information about the ownership of vessels available to both government officials and those interested in acquiring an interest in a vessel; accommodate existing financing arrangements for vessels;

UCOTA-V Principle objectives of the Act (cont’d); work seamlessly with the Uniform Commercial Code, most notably Articles 2 and 9; manage, to the extent possible, the complications that can arise from a vessel’s transition in or out of federal documentation; provide clear rules on the consequences of compliance or noncompliance; impose minimal or no new burdens or costs on state titling offices; and

UCOTA-V Principle objectives of the Act (cont’d); protect buyers and others acquiring an interest in an undocumented vessel by requiring that the title for the vessel be branded if a casualty or sinking has caused significant damage to the vessel’s hull integrity.

UCOTA-V Provides means for certifying state titling systems creating the availability for preferred ships mortgage status. Provides for greater maritime security in that certified titling programs MUST participate in VIS providing all required information. Provides for consumer protection via title branding provisions similar to motor vehicles.

UCOTA-V Current activity CT has introduced a Bill to adopt a version of UCOTA-V The following States are considering action within their next legislative session; Alabama Iowa Louisiana Minnesota New York Oklahoma Tennessee Utah

UCOTA-V Next steps; Working to develop regulatory project to bring current regulations under 33 CFR 187 into agreement with UCOTA-V. Considering implementation via Direct Final Rule No final decisions have been made.

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