50 Cfr 622.6

50 CFR 622.6 (up to date as of 8/27/2024)
Vessel identification.

50 CFR 622.6 (Aug. 27, 2024)

This content is from the eCFR and is authoritative but unofficial.

Title 50 —Wildlife and Fisheries
Chapter VI —Fishery Conservation and Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Department of Commerce
Part 622 —Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic
Subpart A —General Provisions
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Source: 78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, unless otherwise noted.

Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 622 appear at 79 FR 57837, Sept. 26, 2014 and at 81 FR 32253,
May 23, 2016.

§ 622.6 Vessel identification.
This section does not apply to subpart R of this part, which has its own specific vessel identification requirements in
§ 622.402.
(a) Applicability —
(1) Official number. A vessel for which a permit has been issued under subparts B through U of this part,
except for subpart R, and a vessel that fishes for or possesses pelagic sargassum in the South
Atlantic EEZ, must display its official number—
(i)

On the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull and, for vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) long,
on an appropriate weather deck, so as to be clearly visible from an enforcement vessel or
aircraft.

(ii) In block arabic numerals permanently affixed to or painted on the vessel in contrasting color to
the background.
(iii) At least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in height for vessels over 65 ft (19.8 m) long; at least 10 inches
(25.4 cm) in height for vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) long; and at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) in height
for vessels 25 ft (7.6 m) long or less.
(2) Official number and color code. The following vessels must display their official number as specified
in paragraph (a)(1) of this section and, in addition, must display their assigned color code: A vessel
for which a permit has been issued to fish with a sea bass pot, as required under § 622.170(a)(1);
and, in the EEZ around Puerto Rico, St. Croix, or St. Thomas and St. John, a vessel fishing
commercially with traps for reef fish, as defined in subparts S through U of this part, or a vessel
fishing for spiny lobster, when color codes are required and have been assigned to the vessel by
Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, as applicable. Color codes required for vessels fishing in the
EEZ around Puerto Rico, St. Croix, or St. Thomas and St. John are assigned by Puerto Rico or the
U.S. Virgin Islands, as applicable. Color codes required in all other fisheries are assigned by the RA.
The color code must be displayed—
(i)

On the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull and, for vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) long,
on an appropriate weather deck, so as to be clearly visible from an enforcement vessel or
aircraft.

50 CFR 622.6(a)(2)(i) (enhanced display)

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50 CFR 622.6 (up to date as of 8/27/2024)
Vessel identification.

50 CFR 622.6(a)(2)(ii)

(ii) In the form of a circle permanently affixed to or painted on the vessel.
(iii) At least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in diameter for vessels over 65 ft (19.8 m) long; at least 10 inches
(25.4 cm) in diameter for vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) long; and at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) in
diameter for vessels 25 ft (7.6 m) long or less.
(b) Duties of operator. The operator of a vessel specified in paragraph (a) of this section must keep the official
number and the color code, if applicable, clearly legible and in good repair and must ensure that no part of
the fishing vessel, its rigging, fishing gear, or any other material on board obstructs the view of the official
number or the color code, if applicable, from an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
[78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, amended at 87 FR 56215, Sept. 13, 2022]

50 CFR 622.6(b) (enhanced display)

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