(1) What is a brand? For the purposes of this section, a brand is a notation on the certificate of ownership or vessel registration certificate that records a special circumstance or condition involving a vessel.

(2) What brands are assigned to vessels by the department? Brands used by the department include, but are not limited to:

(a) Contaminated described in chapter 64.44 RCW.

(b) Decontaminated described in chapter 64.44 RCW.

(3) Why is a brand used? A brand is used for consumer protection. The brand is used to inform any subsequent owners of the current or former condition or use of the vessel.

(4) Will the department remove a brand? Brands stay on vessel records indefinitely. The department will only remove a brand if the brand was applied to a Washington certificate of title in error.

(5) What is a comment? For the purposes of this section, a comment is a notation on the certificate of title, or vessel registration certificate that relates to tax liability, type of ownership, title transaction type.

(6) What comments could the department print on certificates of title?

(a) Comments relating to the ownership that include: Bonded, leased, JTWROS.

(b) Comments relating to tax liability that include: Use tax waived - Gift, value code, value year.

(c) Comments relating to the type of title transaction, which include duplicate and reprint.

(d) Miscellaneous comments.

(7) What comments could the department print on vessel registration certificates? Comments printed on vessel registration certificates may include, but are not limited to:

(a) "Registration only";

(b) "Additional owners on record";

(c) "Use tax waived: Gift";

(d) Title transaction type duplicate, reprint, NTI, dual registration, corrected title data, corrected registration.

(8) Why are comments used? Comments are used for consumer protection to inform any subsequent owners and vessel licensing personnel of the current tax liability, type of ownership, or title transaction type or other pertinent information.

(9) Will the department remove a comment? The department will remove a comment if:

(a) The comment was applied in error; or

(b) The comment no longer applies.