12:7A-18. Correction of defects; recording of foreign papers

a. If the title papers or certificate of ownership are defective or improper, or if the marine equipment was purchased and its sale consummated in another state or country, in accordance with the laws of the state or country regulating the sale of marine equipment and not made for the purpose of evading the provisions of this act, the owner of the marine equipment may apply to the director to correct the defects, or permit the title papers to be received.

b. The director, upon whatever proof as he requires showing that it is just and equitable that the defects should be corrected or that the title papers or certificate of ownership should be received, with or without hearing, shall determine the truth and merits of the application and whether the holder appears to be the bona fide owner of the marine equipment, and may issue his certificate correcting the defects or permitting the title papers or certificate of ownership to be so recorded and filed. The person submitting the papers shall pay a fee to the director for the issuing and filing of the certificate.

c. The director may promulgate regulations supplementing this section, prescribing a procedure for the issuance of a certificate of ownership to a purchaser who purchased marine equipment in a state or jurisdiction that does not require or issue title papers.

d. Before issuing a certificate the director may require the person to advertise in a newspaper having a general circulation in the county where he resides, or where the marine equipment is located, or both, for the space of two weeks, at least once a week, a notice briefly stating that the person has applied to the director to correct defects in the marine equipment title papers or receive title papers out of time, or as the case may be, giving a description of the marine equipment as provided by regulation, and that if anyone desires to be heard in opposition thereto he may do so by appearing before the director or his designee on a date and at a place named, or communicating with the director or his designee prior thereto. The applicant shall also serve like notice on local police, both where the applicant resides and where the marine equipment is located, the State Marine Police Force, and any other person or agency as prescribed by the director. The notice shall be made personally or by certified mail. Proofs of the publication and service shall be submitted to the director. The director, his agent, or inspector may have the notice advertised or served at the cost and expense of the applicant.

L. 1984, c. 152, s. 18, eff. June 15, 1987.