(1) The department shall retain the evidence used to establish the accuracy of the information in its files relating to the current ownership of a vessel and the information on the certificate of title.
(2) The department shall retain in its files all information regarding a security interest in a vessel for at least 10 years after the department receives a termination statement regarding the security interest. The information must be accessible by the hull identification number for the vessel and any other methods provided by the department.
(3) If a person submits a record to the department, or submits information that is accepted by the department, and requests an acknowledgment of the filing or submission, the department shall send to the person an acknowledgment showing the hull identification number of the vessel to which the record or submission relates, the information in the filed record or submission, and the date and time the record was received or the submission was accepted. A request under this section must contain the hull identification number and be delivered by means authorized by the department.
(4) The department shall send or otherwise make available in a record the following information to any person who requests it and pays the applicable fee:

(a) Whether the files of the department indicate, as of a date and time specified by the department, but not a date earlier than 3 days before the department received the request, any certificate of title, security interest, termination statement, or title brand that relates to a vessel:

1. Identified by a hull identification number designated in the request;
2. Identified by a vessel number designated in the request; or
3. Owned by a person designated in the request;
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Terms Used In Florida Statutes 328.015

  • Certificate of origin: means a record created by a manufacturer or importer as the manufacturer's or importer's proof of identity of a vessel. See Florida Statutes 328.0015
  • Certificate of title: means a record, created by the department or by a governmental agency of another jurisdiction under the law of that jurisdiction, that is designated as a certificate of title by the department or agency and is evidence of ownership of a vessel. See Florida Statutes 328.0015
  • Department: means the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. See Florida Statutes 328.0015
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Hull identification number: means the alphanumeric designation assigned to a vessel pursuant to Florida Statutes 328.0015
  • Owner: means a person who has legal title to a vessel. See Florida Statutes 328.0015
  • Person: means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, statutory trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity. See Florida Statutes 328.0015
  • Record: means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. See Florida Statutes 328.0015
  • Security interest: means an interest in a vessel which secures payment or performance of an obligation if the interest is created by contract or arises under…. See Florida Statutes 328.0015
  • Title brand: means a designation of previous damage, use, or condition that must be indicated on a certificate of title. See Florida Statutes 328.0015
  • Vessel: means a watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, except:
    1. See Florida Statutes 328.0015
  • Vessel number: means the alphanumeric designation for a vessel issued pursuant to Florida Statutes 328.0015
(b) With respect to the vessel:

1. The name and address of any owner as indicated in the files of the department or on the certificate of title;
2. The name and address of any secured party as indicated in the files of the department or on the certificate, and the effective date of the information; and
3. A copy of any termination statement indicated in the files of the department and the effective date of the termination statement; and
(c) With respect to the vessel, a copy of any certificate of origin, secured party transfer statement, transfer-by-law statement under s. 328.24, and other evidence of previous or current transfers of ownership.
(5) In responding to a request under this section, the department may provide the requested information in any medium. On request, the department shall send the requested information in a record that is self-authenticating.
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