33 C.F.R. Subpart B—Numbering System Requirements
Title 33 - Navigation and Navigable Waters
(a) Except as allowed in paragraph (c) of this section, a State numbering system must require the numbering of vessels to which §173.11 of this chapter applies. (b) A State numbering system may require the numbering of any vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the State unless prohibited by the regulations in Part 173 of this chapter. (c) A State numbering system may exempt from its numbering requirements any vessel or class of vessels to which §173.13 of this chapter applies. A State numbering system must contain the requirements applicable to an owner or a person operating a vessel that are prescribed in the following sections of Part 173: (a) Paragraph (a) of §173.15 Vessel number required. (b) Section 173.19 Other numbers prohibited. (c) Paragraph (a) of §173.21 Certificate of number required. (d) Section 173.23 Inspection of certificate. (e) Section 173.25 Location of certificate of number. (f) Section 173.29 Notification of issuing authority. (g) Section 173.71 Application for certificate of number. (h) Section 173.73 Duplicate certificate of number. (i) Section 173.77 Validity of certificate of number. (46 U.S.C. 1451, 1467, 1488; 49 CFR 1.46(n)(1)) [CGD 77–117, 44 FR 42195, July 19, 1979] In addition to the requirements in §174.13, a State numbering system may contain any of the other requirements applicable to a vessel owner or operator prescribed in Part 173. (46 U.S.C. 1451, 1467, 1488; 49 CFR 1.46(n)(1)) [CGD 77–117, 44 FR 42195, July 19, 1979, as amended by USCG–1999–5832, 64 FR 34715, June 29, 1999] (a) If a State issues validation stickers, its numbering system must contain the requirements that stickers must be displayed within 6 inches of the number and the stickers must meet the requirements in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. (b) Validation stickers must be approximately 3 inches square. (c) The year in which each validation sticker expires must be indicated by the colors, blue, international orange, green, and red, in rotation beginning with blue for stickers that expire in 1973. (a) Each form for application for a certificate of number must contain the following information: (1) Name of the owner. (2) Address of the owner, including ZIP code. (3)–(4) [Reserved] (5) State in which vessel is or will be principally used. (6) The number previously issued by an issuing authority for the vessel, if any. (7) Whether the application is for a new number, renewal of a number, or transfer of ownership. (8) Whether the vessel is used for pleasure, rent or lease, dealer or manufacturer demonstration, commercial passenger carrying, commercial fishing, or other commercial use. (9) Make of vessel. (10) Year vessel was manufactured or model year. (11) Manufacturer's hull identification number, if any. (12) Overall length of vessel. (13) Type of vessel (open, cabin, house, or other). (14) Whether the hull is wood, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, or other. (15) Whether the propulsion is inboard, outboard, inboard-outdrive, sail or other. (16) Whether the fuel is gasoline, diesel, or other. (17) The signature of the owner. (b) An application made by a manufacturer or dealer for a number that is to be temporarily affixed to a vessel for demonstration or test purposes may omit items 9 through 16 of paragraph (a) of this section. (c) An application made by a person who intends to lease or rent the vessel without propulsion machinery may omit items 15 and 16 of paragraph (a) of this section. [CGD 79–087, 47 FR 8176, Feb. 25, 1982] (a) Except as allowed in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section, each certificate of number must contain the following information: (1) Number issued to the vessel. (2) Expiration date of the certificate. (3) State of principal use. (4) Name of the owner. (5) Address of owner, including ZIP code. (6) Whether the vessel is used for pleasure, rent or lease, dealer or manufacturer demonstration, commercial passenger carrying, commercial fishing or other commercial use. (7) Manufacturer's hull identification number (if any). (8) Make of vessel. (9) Year vessel was manufactured. (10) Overall length of vessel. (11) Whether the vessel is an open boat, cabin cruiser, houseboat, or other type. (12) Hull material. (13) Whether the propulsion is inboard, outboard, inboard-outdrive, or sail. (14) Whether the fuel is gasoline, diesel, or other. (b) A certificate of number issued to a vessel that has a manufacturer's hull identification number assigned, may omit items 8 through 14 of paragraph (a) of this section if the manufacturer's hull identification number is plainly marked on the certificate. (c) A certificate of number issued to a manufacturer or dealer to be used on a vessel for test or demonstration purposes may omit items 7 through 14 of paragraph (a) of this section if the word “manufacturer” or “dealer” is plainly marked on the certificate. (d) A certificate of number issued to a vessel that is to be rented or leased without propulsion machinery may omit items 13 and 14 of paragraph (a) of this section if the words “livery vessel” are plainly marked on the certificate. (e) An issuing authority may print on the certificate of number a quotation of the State regulations pertaining to change of ownership or address, documentation, loss, discovery of vessel, carriage of the certificate of number on board when the vessel is in use, rendering aid in a vessel accident, and reporting of vessel casualties and accidents. (46 U.S.C. 1451, 1467, 1488; 49 CFR 1.46(n)(1)) [CGD 72–54R, 37 FR 21402, Oct. 7, 1972, as amended by CGD 77–117, 44 FR 42195, July 19, 1979; USCG–1999–5832, 64 FR 34715, June 29, 1999] A temporary certificate issued pending the issuance of a certificate of number must contain the following information: (a) Make of vessel. (b) Length of vessel. (c) Type of propulsion. (d) State in which vessel is principally used. (e) Name of owner. (f) Address of owner, including ZIP code. (g) Signature of owner. (h) Date of issuance. (i) Notice to the owner that the temporary certificate is invalid after 60 days from the date of issuance. (a) Each number must consist of two capital letters denoting the State of the issuing authority, as specified in Appendix A of Part 173 of this chapter, followed by— (1) Not more than four numerals followed by not more than two capital letters (example: NH 1234 BD); or (2) Not more than three numerals followed by not more than three capital letters (example: WN 567 EFG). (b) A number suffix must not include the letters “I”, “O”, or “Q,” which may be mistaken for numerals. Each certificate of number must be approximately 2 A certificate of number must not be valid for more than 3 years. A State may issue a temporary certificate of number that is effective for not more than 60 days. A State numbering system may condition the issuance of a certificate of number on— (a) Title to, or other proof of ownership of a vessel except a recreational-type public vessel of the United States; or (b) Proof of liability insurance for a vessel except a recreational-type public vessel of the United States; or (c) The payment of State or local taxes, except for a recreational-type public vessel of the United States. [CGD 72–54R, 37 FR 21402, Oct. 7, 1972, as amended by USCG–2003–15708, 70 FR 13105, Mar. 18, 2005]
Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters
PART 174—STATE NUMBERING AND CASUALTY REPORTING SYSTEMS
Subpart B—Numbering System Requirements
§ 174.11 Applicability of State numbering system.
§ 174.13 Owner or operator requirements.
§ 174.14 State numbering system optional sections.
§ 174.15 Validation stickers.
§ 174.17 Contents of application for certificate of number.
§ 174.19 Contents of a certificate of number.
§ 174.21 Contents of temporary certificate.
§ 174.23 Form of number.
§ 174.25 Size of certificate of number.
§ 174.27 Duration of certificate of number.
§ 174.29 Temporary certificate of number.
§ 174.31 Terms imposed by States for numbering of vessels.
