(1) A secured party indicated in the files of the department as having a security interest in a vessel shall deliver a termination statement to the department and, on the debtor’s request, to the debtor, by the earlier of:
(a) Twenty days after the secured party receives a signed demand from an owner for a termination statement and there is no obligation secured by the vessel subject to the security interest and no commitment to make an advance, incur an obligation, or otherwise give value secured by the vessel; or
(b) If the vessel is consumer goods, 30 days after there is no obligation secured by the vessel and no commitment to make an advance, incur an obligation, or otherwise give value secured by the vessel.
(2) If a written certificate of title has been created and delivered to a secured party and a termination statement is required under subsection (1), the secured party, not later than the date required by subsection (1), shall deliver the certificate to the debtor or to the department with the statement. If the certificate is lost, stolen, mutilated, destroyed, or is otherwise unavailable or illegible, the secured party shall deliver with the statement, not later than the date required by subsection (1), an application for a duplicate certificate meeting the requirements of s. 328.11.
(3) On delivery to the department of a termination statement authorized by the secured party, the security interest to which the statement relates ceases to be perfected. If the security interest to which the statement relates was indicated on the certificate of title, the department shall create a new certificate and deliver the new certificate or a record evidencing an electronic certificate. The department shall maintain in its files the date and time of delivery to the department of the statement.
(4) A secured party that fails to comply with this section is liable for any loss that the secured party had reason to know might result from its failure to comply and which could not reasonably have been prevented and for the cost of an application for a certificate of title under s. 328.01 or s. 328.11.
History.—s. 16, ch. 2019-76.
1Note.—Effective July 1, 2023.
Structure Florida Statutes
Chapter 328 - Vessels: Title Certificates; Liens; Registration
Part I - Vessels; Title Certificates; Liens (Ss. 328.001-328.38)
328.01 - Application for certificate of title.
328.015 - Duties and operation of the department.
328.02 - Law governing vessel covered by certificate of title.
328.03 - Certificate of title required.
328.04 - Content of certificate of title.
328.055 - Maintenance of and access to files.
328.06 - Action required on creation of certificate of title.
328.065 - Effect of possession of certificate of title; judicial process.
328.07 - Hull identification number required.
328.09 - Refusal to issue and authority to cancel a certificate of title or registration.
328.101 - Effect of missing or incorrect information.
328.11 - Duplicate certificate of title.
328.12 - Perfection of security interest.
328.125 - Termination statement.
328.13 - Manufacturer’s statement of origin to be furnished.
328.14 - Rights of purchaser other than secured party.
328.145 - Rights of secured party.
328.15 - Notice of lien on vessel; recording.
328.16 - Issuance in duplicate; delivery; liens and encumbrances.
328.165 - Cancellation of certificates.
328.17 - Nonjudicial sale of vessels.
328.18 - Power to conduct investigations.
328.22 - Transfer of ownership.
328.23 - Transfer of ownership by secured party’s transfer statement.
328.24 - Transfer by operation of law.
328.25 - Supplemental principles of law and equity.
328.30 - Transactions by electronic or telephonic means.
328.37 - Validity of rights, duties, and interests flowing from law prior to ch. 2019-76.