New Jersey § 12:7a-3

Full text of New Jersey New Jersey Statutes § 12:7a-3, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 12:7a-3.

As used in this act: a. “ Abstract ” means a duplicate copy of the original certificate of ownership recording any encumbrance

or upon which the existence of a security interest is noted. b. “ Buyer ” includes purchaser, debtor, lessee, bailee, transferee, and any person buying or

attempting to buy marine equipment, or any person acquiring marine equipment subject

to a security interest, lease, bailment or transfer agreement, and their legal successors

in interest. c. “ Certificate of number ” means the paper or papers issued in conformance with chapter 7 of Title 12 of the

Revised Statutes certifying registration of the numbers assigned to the vessel. d. “ Certificate of origin ” means the original written instrument or document required to be executed and delivered

by the manufacturer to his agent or a dealer, or a person purchasing directly from

the manufacturer, certifying the origin of the marine equipment . e. “ Certificate of ownership ” means the paper or papers issued in conformance with this act, certifying ownership

of marine equipment , other than a manufacturer's or importer's certificate of origin. f. “ Dealer ” means any person who engages wholly or in part in the business of buying, selling

or exchanging new or used marine equipment. g. “ Debtor ” means the person who owes payment or other performance of the obligation secured

by a security interest in marine equipment. h. “ Director ” means the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Law and

Public Safety. i. “ Documentation papers ” means those papers issued to a documented vessel by the United States Coast Guard

or any federal agency successor thereto. j. “ Documented vessel ” means a vessel which has valid documentation papers issued by the United States

Coast Guard or any federal agency successor thereto. k. “ Hull ” means a vessel, exclusive of all means of propulsion. l. “ Inboard vessel ” means a hull with an inboard engine including an inboard/outboard or stern drive

installed as a primary or auxiliary means of propulsion. m. “ Manufacturer ” means any person engaged in the business of manufacturing new marine equipment for

the purpose of sale or trade. n. “ Manufacturer's number ” means a hull identification number affixed by the manufacturer pursuant to federal

regulation or assigned by the director pursuant to regulation . o. “ Marine equipment ” means vessels or hulls greater than 12 feet in length . p. “ New marine equipment ” means a newly manufactured vessel or hull greater than 12 feet in length . q. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1987, c. 138.) r. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1987, c. 138.) s. “ Principal use within this State ” means marine equipment that has been within this State for a period in excess of 180 consecutive days, unless the equipment is in this State for the purpose of wet or

dry storage, or for repairs, in which case the actual time for this storage or repairs

shall not be counted as included within the 180 day period. t. “ Purchaser ” means a person who takes possession of marine equipment by transfer of ownership,

either for use or resale, except a dealer when he takes possession through a certificate

of origin. u. “ Secured party ” means a lender, seller or other person in whose favor there is a security interest. v. “ Security agreement ” means an agreement which creates or provides for a security interest in marine equipment. w. “ Security interest ” means an interest in marine equipment which secures payment or other performance

of an obligation. x. “ Sell ” or “ sale ” or “ purchase ” and any form thereof include absolute or voluntary sales and purchases, agreements

to sell and purchase, bailments, leases, security agreements whereby any marine equipment

is sold and purchased, or agreed to be sold and purchased, involuntary, statutory

and judicial sales, inheritance, devise, or bequest, gift or any other form or manner

of sale or agreement of sale thereof, or the giving or transferring of possession

of a piece of marine equipment to a person for a permanent use, where there is continued

possession for 60 days or more. y. “ Seller ” means manufacturer, dealer, lessor, bailor, transferor with or without a security

interest, and any other person selling, attempting to sell, or delivering marine equipment

and their legal successors in interest. z. “ Title papers ” means any instrument or document that is evidence of ownership of a vessel or hull greater than 12 feet in length . aa. “ Used marine equipment ” means a vessel or hull greater than 12 feet in length , title to, or possession of, which has been first transferred from the person who

first acquired it from the manufacturer or dealer, and so used as to become what is

commonly known as “pre-owned” within the ordinary meaning thereof, and every vessel or hull greater than 12 feet in length other than a new vessel or hull greater than 12 feet in length . bb. “ Vessel ” means a boat or watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable

of being used as a means of transportation on water. cc. “ Length ” means the measurement of a vessel or hull, in feet and inches, from end to end over

the deck and parallel to the centerline, excluding sheer, bowsprits, bumpkin rudders,

outboard motors, brackets and other equipment or appendages. dd. “ Owner ” means a person, other than a lienholder, having the property of, or title to, a

vessel or hull. The term includes a person entitled to the use or possession of the vessel subject

to the interest of another person, which interest is reserved or created by agreement

and secures the payment or performance of an obligation, and excludes a lessee under

a lease that is not intended as security for the vessel or hull. ee. “ Power vessel ” means a vessel which is greater than 12 feet in length and is temporarily or permanently

equipped with machinery for propulsion, excluding a vessel propelled wholly by sails

or by muscular power. ff. “ Sailboat ” means any boat whose sole source of propulsion is a natural element, such as the

wind.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey § 12:7a-3

What does New Jersey Statutes § 12:7a-3 cover?

Section 12:7a-3 is part of the New Jersey Statutes, the codified statutory law of New Jersey. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite New Jersey § 12:7a-3?

A common citation format is "New Jersey Statutes § 12:7a-3" (New Jersey). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of New Jersey law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Jersey official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Jersey attorney.

How does New Jersey § 12:7a-3 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Jersey can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Jersey.