-CITE-

46 USC CHAPTER 123 - NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 46 - SHIPPING

Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen

Part H - Identification of Vessels

CHAPTER 123 - NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS

-HEAD-

CHAPTER 123 - NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS

-MISC1-

Sec.

12301. Numbering vessels.

12302. Standard numbering system.

12303. Exemption from numbering requirements.

12304. Certificates of numbers.

12305. Displaying numbers.

12306. Safety certificates.

12307. Regulations on numbering and fees.

12308. Providing vessel numbering and registration

information.

12309. Penalties.

-SECREF-

CHAPTER REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS

This chapter is referred to in sections 2101, 2102, 12124, 12501,

13102, 13103, 30101 of this title; section 1903 of Appendix to this

title; title 16 sections 1802, 2432, 5502; title 19 section 1704;

title 33 section 2602.

-End-

-CITE-

46 USC Sec. 12301 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 46 - SHIPPING

Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen

Part H - Identification of Vessels

CHAPTER 123 - NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS

-HEAD-

Sec. 12301. Numbering vessels

-STATUTE-

(a) An undocumented vessel equipped with propulsion machinery of

any kind shall have a number issued by the proper issuing authority

in the State in which the vessel principally is operated.

(b) The Secretary shall require an undocumented barge more than

100 gross tons operating on the navigable waters of the United

States to be numbered.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 590; Pub. L. 102-587, title

V, Sec. 5305, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5083.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

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Revised section Source section (U.S. Code)

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12301 46:1466

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Section 12301 requires that undocumented vessels that are

propelled by machinery be issued an identification number by the

proper issuing authority in the State in which the vessel is

primarily operated.

AMENDMENTS

1992 - Pub. L. 102-587 designated existing provisions as subsec.

(a) and added subsec. (b).

-End-

-CITE-

46 USC Sec. 12302 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 46 - SHIPPING

Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen

Part H - Identification of Vessels

CHAPTER 123 - NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS

-HEAD-

Sec. 12302. Standard numbering system

-STATUTE-

(a) The Secretary shall prescribe by regulation a standard

numbering system for vessels to which this chapter applies. On

application by a State, the Secretary shall approve a State

numbering system that is consistent with the standard numbering

system. In carrying out its numbering system, a State shall adopt

any definitions of relevant terms prescribed by regulations of the

Secretary.

(b) A State with an approved numbering system is the issuing

authority within the meaning of this chapter. The Secretary is the

issuing authority in a State in which a State numbering system has

not been approved.

(c) When a vessel is numbered in a State, it is deemed in

compliance with the numbering system of a State in which it

temporarily is operated.

(d) When a vessel is removed to a new State of principal

operation, the issuing authority of that State shall recognize the

validity of the number issued by the original State for 60 days.

(e) If a State has a numbering system approved after the

Secretary issues a number, the State shall recognize the validity

of the number issued by the Secretary for one year.

(f) When the Secretary decides that a State numbering system is

not being carried out consistent with the standard numbering system

or the State has changed the system without the Secretary's

approval, the Secretary may withdraw approval after giving notice

to the State, in writing, stating the reasons for the withdrawal.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 590.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

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Revised section Source section (U.S. Code)

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12302 46:1467

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Section 12302 provides for a standard numbering system for

undocumented vessels and for approval of State numbering systems by

the Secretary. It also requires that a State, when implementing its

numbering system, adopt any relevant terms required by the

Secretary. In States without approved numbering systems, the

Federal Government issues the numbers. This section also provides

for the operation of a vessel in a State other than the one in

which it was numbered.

-End-

-CITE-

46 USC Sec. 12303 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 46 - SHIPPING

Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen

Part H - Identification of Vessels

CHAPTER 123 - NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS

-HEAD-

Sec. 12303. Exemption from numbering requirements

-STATUTE-

(a) When the Secretary is the authority issuing a number under

this chapter, the Secretary may exempt a vessel or class of vessels

from the numbering requirements of this chapter under conditions

the Secretary may prescribe.

(b) When a State is the issuing authority, it may exempt from the

numbering requirements of this chapter a vessel or class of vessels

exempted under subsection (a) of this section or otherwise as

permitted by the Secretary.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 591.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

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Revised section Source section (U.S. Code)

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12303 46:1468

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Section 12303 permits the Secretary and any State, when it is the

issuing authority, to exempt vessels from the numbering

requirements.

-End-

-CITE-

46 USC Sec. 12304 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 46 - SHIPPING

Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen

Part H - Identification of Vessels

CHAPTER 123 - NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS

-HEAD-

Sec. 12304. Certificates of numbers

-STATUTE-

(a) A certificate of number is granted for a number issued under

this chapter. The certificate shall be pocketsized, shall be at all

times available for inspection on the vessel for which issued when

the vessel is in operation, and may be valid for not more than 3

years. The certificate of number for a vessel less than 26 feet in

length and leased or rented to another for the latter's

noncommercial operation of less than 7 days may be retained on

shore by the vessel's owner or representative at the place from

which the vessel departs or returns to the possession of the owner

or the owner's representative. A vessel that does not have the

certificate of number on board shall be identified when in

operation, and comply with requirements, as the issuing authority

prescribes.

(b) The owner of a vessel numbered under this chapter shall

provide -

(1) the issuing authority notice of the transfer of any part of

the owner's interest in the vessel or of the destruction or

abandonment of the vessel, within a reasonable time after the

transfer, destruction, or abandonment; and

(2) notice of a change of address within a reasonable time of

the change, as prescribed by regulation.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 591.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

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Revised section Source section (U.S. Code)

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12304 46:1469

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Section 12304 describes a certificate of number and stipulates

when it must be carried on board a vessel. It also requires that

the number issuing authority be notified when a boat is sold,

transferred, destroyed, or abandoned, or when the owner's address

changes.

-End-

-CITE-

46 USC Sec. 12305 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 46 - SHIPPING

Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen

Part H - Identification of Vessels

CHAPTER 123 - NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS

-HEAD-

Sec. 12305. Displaying numbers

-STATUTE-

A number required by this chapter shall be painted on, or

attached to, each side of the forward half of the vessel for which

it was issued, and shall be the size, color, and type as may be

prescribed by the Secretary. No other number may be carried on the

forward half of the vessel.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 591.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

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Revised section Source section (U.S. Code)

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12305 46:1470

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Section 12305 describes the manner in which a number must be

displayed on a vessel, and prohibits the display of other numbers

on the forward half of the vessel.

-End-

-CITE-

46 USC Sec. 12306 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 46 - SHIPPING

Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen

Part H - Identification of Vessels

CHAPTER 123 - NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS

-HEAD-

Sec. 12306. Safety certificates

-STATUTE-

When a State is the authority issuing a number under this

chapter, it may require that the individual in charge of a numbered

vessel have a valid safety certificate issued under conditions set

by the issuing authority, except when the vessel is subject to

manning requirements under part F of this subtitle.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 591.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

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Revised section Source section (U.S. Code)

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12306 46:1471

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 12306 authorizes a State that is an issuing authority to

require a numbered vessel operator to hold a valid safety

certificate, unless the vessel is subject to manning requirements

under part F of this subtitle.

-End-

-CITE-

46 USC Sec. 12307 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 46 - SHIPPING

Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen

Part H - Identification of Vessels

CHAPTER 123 - NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS

-HEAD-

Sec. 12307. Regulations on numbering and fees

-STATUTE-

The authority issuing a number under this chapter may prescribe

regulations and establish fees to carry out the intent of this

chapter. The fees shall apply equally to residents and nonresidents

of the State. A State issuing authority may impose only conditions

for vessel numbering that are -

(1) prescribed by this chapter or regulations of the Secretary

about the standard numbering system; or

(2) related to proof of payment of State or local taxes.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 591.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

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Revised section Source section (U.S. Code)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

12307 46:1472

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Section 12307 provides the States or the Secretary with the

authority to prescribe regulations and establish fees for carrying

out the requirements of this chapter. The fee must apply equally to

residents and nonresidents of the State in which the vessel is

numbered.

-End-

-CITE-

46 USC Sec. 12308 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 46 - SHIPPING

Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen

Part H - Identification of Vessels

CHAPTER 123 - NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS

-HEAD-

Sec. 12308. Providing vessel numbering and registration information

-STATUTE-

A person may request from an authority issuing a number under

this chapter the numbering and registration information of a vessel

that is retrievable from vessel numbering system records of the

issuing authority. When the issuing authority is satisfied that the

request is reasonable and related to a boating safety purpose, the

information shall be provided on paying the cost of retrieving and

providing the information requested.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 592.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

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Revised section Source section (U.S. Code)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

12308 46:1473

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Section 12308 requires the number issuing authority to supply for

a fee, numbering and registration information to any person, upon

request, if the request is reasonable and related to boating

safety.

-End-

-CITE-

46 USC Sec. 12309 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 46 - SHIPPING

Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen

Part H - Identification of Vessels

CHAPTER 123 - NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS

-HEAD-

Sec. 12309. Penalties

-STATUTE-

(a) A person willfully violating this chapter or a regulation

prescribed under this chapter shall be fined not more than $5,000,

imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

(b) A person violating this chapter or a regulation prescribed

under this chapter is liable to the United States Government for a

civil penalty of not more than $1,000. If the violation involves

the operation of a vessel, the vessel also is liable in rem for the

penalty.

(c) When a civil penalty of not more than $200 has been assessed

under this chapter, the Secretary may refer the matter of

collection of the penalty directly to the United States magistrate

judge of the jurisdiction in which the person liable may be found

for collection procedures under supervision of the district court

and under an order issued by the court delegating this authority

under section 636(b) of title 28.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 592; Pub. L. 101-650, title

III, Sec. 321, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5117.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

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Revised section Source section (U.S. Code)

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12309(a) 46:1483

12309(b) 46:1484(b)

12309(c) 46:1484(d)

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Section 12309 provides for civil and criminal penalties for

violation of the vessel numbering provisions in this title.

-CHANGE-

CHANGE OF NAME

"United States magistrate judge" substituted for "United States

magistrate" in subsec. (c) pursuant to section 321 of Pub. L.

101-650, set out as a note under section 631 of Title 28, Judiciary

and Judicial Procedure.

-End-