The purchaser at a sale as authorized in this article shall receive a certified copy of the court order authorizing such sale. Any such purchaser may obtain a certificate of title to such vessel by filing the required application, paying the required fees, and filing a certified copy of the order of the court with the Department of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources shall then issue a certificate of title, which shall be free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.
(Code 1981, §52-7-76, enacted by Ga. L. 1989, p. 613, § 1.)