(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the owner of a vessel for which the District is the state of principal use shall deliver to the Harbor Master an application for a certificate of title for the vessel, with the applicable fee, not later than 20 days after the later of:
(1) The date of a transfer of ownership; or
(2) The date the District becomes the state of principal use.
(b) An application for a certificate of title is not required for:
(1) A documented vessel;
(2) A foreign-documented vessel;
(3) A barge;
(4) A vessel before delivery if the vessel is under construction or completed pursuant to contract; or
(5) A vessel held by a dealer for sale or lease.
(c) The Harbor Master may not issue, transfer, or renew a certificate of number for a vessel issued pursuant to the requirements of 46 U.S.C. § 12301 unless the Harbor Master has created a certificate of title for the vessel, or an application for a certificate of title for the vessel and the applicable fee have been delivered to the Harbor Master.
(Mar. 11, 2015, D.C. Law 20-215, § 6, 61 DCR 13083.)
Applicability of D.C. Law 20-215: Section 32 of D.C. Law 20-215 provided that the act shall apply as of January 1, 2016.
Structure District of Columbia Code
Title 50 - Motor and Non-Motor Vehicles and Traffic
Chapter 15B - Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels
§ 50–1541.03. Supplemental principles of law and equity
§ 50–1541.04. Law governing vessel covered by certificate of title
§ 50–1541.05. Certificate of title required
§ 50–1541.06. Application for certificate of title
§ 50–1541.07. Creation and cancellation of certificate of title
§ 50–1541.08. Content of certificate of title
§ 50–1541.10. Maintenance of and access to files
§ 50–1541.11. Action required on creation of certificate of title
§ 50–1541.12. Effect of certificate of title
§ 50–1541.13. Effect of possession of certificate of title; judicial process
§ 50–1541.14. Perfection of security interest
§ 50–1541.15. Termination statement
§ 50–1541.16. Transfer of ownership
§ 50–1541.17. Effect of missing or incorrect information
§ 50–1541.18. Transfer of ownership by secured party’s transfer statement
§ 50–1541.19. Transfer by operation of law
§ 50–1541.21. Replacement certificate of title
§ 50–1541.22. Rights of purchaser other than secured party
§ 50–1541.23. Rights of secured party
§ 50–1541.24. Duties of Harbor Master
§ 50–1541.26. Uniformity of application and construction
§ 50–1541.27. Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act