(a) In this section—

(1) “By operation of law” means pursuant to a law or judicial order affecting ownership of a vessel—

(i) Because of death, divorce or other family law proceeding, merger, consolidation, dissolution, or bankruptcy;

(ii) Through the exercise of the rights of a lien creditor or a person having a lien created by statute or rule of law; or

(iii) Through other legal process.

(2) “Transfer-by-law statement” means a record signed by a transferee stating that by operation of law the transferee has acquired or has the right to acquire an ownership interest in a vessel.

(b) A transfer-by-law statement must contain—

(1) The name and last known mailing address of the owner of record and the transferee and the other information required by § 187.307(b);

(2) Documentation sufficient to establish the transferee's ownership interest or right to acquire the ownership interest;

(3) A statement that—

(i) The certificate of title is an electronic certificate of title;

(ii) The transferee does not have possession of the written certificate of title created in the name of the owner of record; or

(ii) The transferee is delivering the written certificate to the office with the transfer-by-law statement; and

(4) Except for a transfer described in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, evidence that notification of the transfer and the intent to file the transfer-by-law statement has been sent to all persons indicated in the files of the office as having an interest, including a security interest, in the vessel.

(c) Unless the office rejects a transfer-by-law statement for a reason stated in § 187.308(c) or because the statement does not include documentation satisfactory to the office as to the transferee's ownership interest or right to acquire the ownership interest, not later than 20 days after delivery to the office of the statement and payment of fees and taxes payable under State law in connection with the statement or with the acquisition or use of the vessel, the office must—

(1) Accept the statement;

(2) Amend the files of the office to reflect the transfer; and

(3) If the name of the owner whose ownership interest is being transferred is indicated on the certificate of title—

(i) Cancel the certificate even if the certificate has not been delivered to the office;

(ii) Create a new certificate indicating the transferee as owner;

(iii) Indicate on the new certificate any security interest indicated on the canceled certificate, unless a court order provides otherwise; and

(iv) Deliver the new certificate or a record evidencing an electronic certificate.

(d) This section does not apply to a transfer of an interest in a vessel by a secured party as prescribed by State law related to security interests in goods.