You, as a skipper, are responsible for
the safety of your boat and the people
aboard.
The Federal Government has created
regulations to manage the movement of
marine traffic. These regulations also help
to reduce the number of boating accidents
and it is essential that you know, keep up
to date with, and follow them. You must
also know your state and local boating laws.
The expression “ignorance of the law is no
excuse” also applies to boating.
BOAT REGISTRATION
Motorboats must be either:
• Registered in the state where they are primarily
used or
• Documented with the Coast Guard
Documentation is an optional form of
national registration for yachts of five or
more net tons; it is discussed later in this
section. Some states require that documented
vessels also be registered.
Your registration or documentation
certificate must be on board whenever
the vessel is in use and should be kept in a
waterproof container to protect it from the
elements.
Registration Numbers
Attach your assigned registration numbers
permanently to each side of the forward half
of your boat where they can be readily seen.
• They should read from left to right.
• Use block letters at least three inches high.
• The color of the letters must contrast well
with the color of your boat. (Examples
would be black on white, or white on black.)
• Boat numbers include two letters that
identify your state, followed by a combination
of numbers and letters that identify
your boat (Figure 7-1). Your registration
is valid in all states for a period of
60 days (unless specified otherwise by the
respective state) when traveling or moving.
See Section 8 for more details.
• Use spaces or hyphens to separate
blocks of numerals from letters.
• Attach state registration stickers
within 6 inches of the boat number.
• Do not display any other numbers
nearby.
The law allows each state to create its own
numbering system. Find out the requirements
in your state.
Notify the state agency that issued
your registration within 15 days, if your:
• Boat is transferred, destroyed, abandoned,
lost, stolen, or recovered
• Registration certificate with assigned
number is lost or destroyed
• Address changes
Surrender your certificate within 15 days if
it becomes invalid for any reason.
DOCUMENTATION
Documentation is controlled by the USCG
and can be used in lieu of state registration
in some states (Figure 7-2). It is used for
vessels transiting foreign ports; documentation
also provides clear tracking of ownership
of the vessel.
84 Chapter Two
Section 7: Government Regulations
NC 6581 BK
Figure 7-1. Typical boat registration number
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