(1)    Except as otherwise provided in s. 409.308 (5), a secured party may assign, absolutely or otherwise, the secured party’s security interest in a boat to a person other than the owner without affecting the interest of the owner or the validity of the security interest, but any person without notice of the assignment is protected in dealing with the secured party as the holder of the security interest and the secured party remains liable for any obligations as a secured party until the assignee is named as secured party on the certificate of title.

   (2)   Subject to s. 409.308 (5), to perfect an assignment, the assignee may deliver to the department the certificate of title, the fee required under s. 30.537 (4) (f) and an assignment by the secured party named in the certificate in the form the department prescribes. Upon receipt, the department shall name the assignee as a secured party on the certificate and issue a new certificate.