Coast Guard Documented

[Starfish 2018]

Greetings fellow sailors,

I have a question about displaying state license on the bow of my boat. If my boat is Coast Guard Documented do I need to also display a state # on the bow of my 36' sailboat?

Tough getting the right info.

Thanks
Ed

[HeywoodJ]

Not only do you not need to, it is illegal to do so.

Pretty sure this is also covered somewhere in 46CFR, but having trouble finding it now.

33CFR173 (the section of federal code dealing with state registration and numbering) says:

§ 173.33 Removal of number.

The person whose name appears on a certificate of number as the owner of a vessel shall remove the number and validation sticker from the vessel when:

(a) The vessel is documented by the Coast Guard;
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-3...-173/subpart-B

Here's a source from USPS, but still no reference to the CFR section I'm pretty sure is out there: https://www.usps.org/national/vsc/po.../vesselreg.pdf

Vessels may ONLY be identified as either a State Registered Vessel or a Federally Documented Vessel - BUT NOT BOTH. When a vessel becomes Federally Documented, the State Registration Numbers and Letters must be removed. However the State Validation Sticker showing proof of paying sales tax may still be displayed on the vessel in accordance with the individual state’s regulations

[Starfish 2018]

Thank you!!

[Chuck34]

As noted, no state numbers on a documented boat. However, most states do require you to still state register your boat and display that small, 4x4 registration sticker. I’m in VA, one of the few states that allow state registration to be optional. So, no sticker on my boat.

[Starfish 2018]

Thanks Chuck34,

I am in Delaware, which is where my boat is registered but will be taking her down to NC in April to our new house. Will have to find out the laws down there. Ed

[HeywoodJ]

North Carolina requires registration of documented vessels and display of the registration decal (but not registration numbers) on the bow:

Decals must be displayed on the starboard and port side bow within 6 inches of your registration number as shown in the diagram above. U.S. Coast Guard Documented Vessels must display the decals on the forward half of the starboard and port side bow.

https://www.ncwildlife.org/boating/registration-titling

[Starfish 2018]

HeywoodJ,

Thank you very much. I have printed the document for NC and will get it filled out. Thanks again, good to be prepared. Ed

[Bobby Lex]

Here in Florida we have to affix the green State Registration decal -- but not the registration numbers -- on our boat if our boat is USCG documented. Technically the boat is "state registered" but the registration numbers on the decal match the USCG documentation numbers.

Looking at other sailboats around me I generally see their decals mounted on the mast, about 2 feet above the deck. That is where I have mounted mine. Not sure if that's the "proper" location or not from a legal standpoint.

Bob

[rslifkin]

NY (and many other states) are the same as mentioned by others above. No numbers on the boat if documented, but many states (including NY) still require you to register the boat with the state and display the small, square registration sticker on the bow, just without numbers next to it.

[gonesail]

we also put the state decal on the port side base of the mast.

[Shrew]

A few small points.

1) This is a Global Site. You're talking about United States Coast Guard. The world doesn't refer the USCG as 'Coast Guard'. Let's try not to think so americentric.

2) It's a requirement of the USCG that you not post state registration numbers. No need to specify which states don't display state numbers on a USCG documented vessel. It applies to ALL states.

3) The fact that you're USCG documented has no bearing on the requirements for state registration. You will need to comply with each state you visit. Almost all states require that you register in that state if the vessel is in that state longer than a specific time. This means you might need to register in multiple states (hence why you don't run state numbers...which state?).

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Shrew

3) The fact that you're USCG documented has no bearing on the requirements for state registration.

That isn't true everywhere.


For example, in Minnesota, documented vessels are, by statute, entirely exempt from state registration, no matter how long they stay.

[coxfirm]

Originally Posted by Jammer

That isn't true everywhere.


For example, in Minnesota, documented vessels are, by statute, entirely exempt from state registration, no matter how long they stay.

It's the same was in the State of Mississippi - documented vessels are exempt from state registration.