Stat/Auth

§ 12302

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

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.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 590; Pub. L.
102–587, title V, § 5305, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5083.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

12301 ............................................

46:1466

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.

Page 170

tion also provides for the operation of a vessel in a
State other than the one in which it was numbered.

§ 12303. Exemption from numbering requirements
(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.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 591.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

AMENDMENTS
1992—Pub. L. 102–587 designated existing provisions as
subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

§ 12302. Standard numbering system
(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.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 590.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
12302 ............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:1467

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 sec-

Revised section
12303 ............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:1468

Section 12303 permits the Secretary and any State,
when it is the issuing authority, to exempt vessels from
the numbering requirements.

§ 12304. Certificates of numbers
(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.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 591.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
12304 ............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:1469

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.

§ 12305. Displaying numbers
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,