Fla. Stat. 328.045
Title brands

(1)

Unless subsection (3) applies, at or before the time the owner of record transfers an ownership interest in a hull-damaged vessel that is covered by a certificate of title created by the department, if the damage occurred while that person was an owner of the vessel and the person has notice of the damage at the time of the transfer, the owner shall:Deliver to the department an application for a new certificate that complies with s. 328.01 and includes the title brand designation “Hull Damaged”; orIndicate on the certificate in the place designated for that purpose that the vessel is hull damaged and deliver the certificate to the transferee.

(a)

Deliver to the department an application for a new certificate that complies with s. 328.01 and includes the title brand designation “Hull Damaged”; or

(b)

Indicate on the certificate in the place designated for that purpose that the vessel is hull damaged and deliver the certificate to the transferee.

(2)

Not later than 30 days after delivery of the application under paragraph (1)(a) or the certificate of title under paragraph (1)(b), the department shall create a new certificate that indicates that the vessel is branded “Hull Damaged.”

(3)

Before an insurer transfers an ownership interest in a hull-damaged vessel that is covered by a certificate of title created by the department, the insurer shall deliver to the department an application for a new certificate that complies with s. 328.01 and includes the title brand designation “Hull Damaged.” Not later than 30 days after delivery of the application to the department, the department shall create a new certificate that indicates that the vessel is branded “Hull Damaged.”

(4)

An owner of record who fails to comply with subsection (1), a person who solicits or colludes in a failure by an owner of record to comply with subsection (1), or an insurer that fails to comply with subsection (3) commits a noncriminal infraction under s. 327.73(1) for which the penalty is $5,000 for the first offense, $15,000 for a second offense, and $25,000 for each subsequent offense.

Source: Section 328.045 — Title brands, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0328.­045 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

328.01
Application for certificate of title 328.001
Short title 328.02
Law governing vessel covered by certificate of title 328.03
Certificate of title required 328.04
Content of certificate of title 328.05
Crimes relating to certificates of title to, or other indicia of ownership of, vessels 328.06
Action required on creation of certificate of title 328.07
Hull identification number required 328.09
Refusal to issue and authority to cancel a certificate of title 328.11
Duplicate certificate of title 328.12
Perfection of security interest 328.13
Manufacturer’s statement of origin to be furnished 328.14
Rights of purchaser other than secured party 328.15
Notice of lien and satisfaction of lien on vessel 328.015
Duties and operation of the department 328.0015
Definitions 328.16
Issuance in duplicate 328.17
Nonjudicial sale of vessels 328.18
Power to conduct investigations 328.19
Penalty 328.20
Disposition of fees 328.21
Transfer without delivery of certificate 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 328.35
Rulemaking 328.37
Validity of rights, duties, and interests flowing from law prior to ch. 2019-76 328.38
Applicability 328.045
Title brands 328.055
Maintenance of and access to files 328.065
Effect of possession of certificate of title 328.101
Effect of missing or incorrect information 328.125
Termination statement 328.145
Rights of secured party 328.165
Cancellation of certificates 328.195
Legislative intent 328.215
Application for transfer of ownership or termination of security interest without certificate of title

Current through Fall 2025

§ 328.045. Title brands's source at flsenate​.gov