33 CFR 187.305: Law governing vessels covered by certificate of title.

(a) The local law of the State under whose certificate of title a vessel is covered governs all issues relating to the certificate from the time the vessel becomes covered by the certificate until the vessel becomes covered by another certificate or becomes a documented vessel, even if no other relationship exists between the State and the vessel or its owner.

(b) A vessel becomes covered by a certificate of title when an application for the certificate and the applicable fee are delivered to the office in accordance with this subpart or to the governmental agency that creates a certificate in another jurisdiction in accordance with the law of that jurisdiction.