New Jersey § 12:7a-7

§ 12:7a-7.

a. A person who possesses or has custody of a piece of marine equipment shall exhibit the certificate of ownership therefor, after a request by the director,

the State Marine Police Force, or any other law enforcement officer, in accordance

with the regulations adopted by the director. These regulations shall set forth the time, manner and place in which the certificate

of ownership shall be exhibited . b. The director shall prescribe, by regulation, the forms for certificates of ownership and certified copies. c. Whenever marine equipment is in the possession of a marina operator, dealer, or

service facility, production by the marina operator, dealer, or service facility of

a writing, signed by the person delivering possession of the marine equipment which

states that the person delivering possession is the owner or entitled to possession

of the marine equipment and that the person has title papers or a certificate of number or other evidence of ownership, shall satisfy the requirements

of this section. However, the director, the State Marine Police Force, or any law enforcement officer

may seize and take into possession anywhere in this State any marine equipment for

which the manufacturer's number is not readable. The marine equipment shall be disposed of as provided in this act. d. If any marine equipment, including documented vessels, is titled or exhibits registration

numbers or other identifying marks issued by another state or the United States Coast

Guard and is being used, operated or stored in this State, a person in possession

of, or using or operating the marine equipment or documented vessel shall be entitled

to ownership or possession in accordance with federal regulations or the laws of the

state where the marine equipment or documented vessel is titled or registered. However, the person in possession shall produce for the director, the State Marine

Police Force, or any law enforcement officer anywhere in this State, documents showing

title to, or right of possession in, the marine equipment or documented vessel in

the person or in the person who is authorized to possess or use, or to use and operate,

the marine equipment or documented vessel, which documents shall evidence the valid

documentation, titling or registering of the marine equipment or documented vessel

pursuant to federal regulation or requirements of the particular state. e. If there is a failure to produce a valid certificate of number as required by section

4 of P.L.1962, c. 73 ( C. 12:7-34.39 ), a valid certificate of ownership as required in regulations prescribed by the director, or valid documentation papers, the director, the State Marine Police Force or any law enforcement

officer may, if necessary, seize and take possession, either constructive or actual,

anywhere in this State of the marine equipment or documented vessel and dispose of

it as provided in this act; provided that, if a person charged with a violation of

this section can exhibit the certificate of number, certificate of ownership, or documentation

papers that were valid on the day he was charged to the judge of the court before

whom he is summoned to answer to the charge, the judge may dismiss the charge and

may impose court costs.