
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 46USC12304]

 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
                     Subtitle II--Vessels and Seamen
 
                    Part H--Identification of Vessels
 
               CHAPTER 123--NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS
 
Sec. 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                Source section (U.S. Code)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12304.............................  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.
