Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 38, September 20, 2024
A. The Department shall not register a
watercraft without a hull identification number.
B. The Department shall verify watercraft
manufactured after November 1, 1972 have a primary hull identification number
that complies with the requirements established under 33 C.F.R. 181, subpart C.
The Department shall assign a hull identification number when the watercraft
hull identification number does not meet the requirements established under 33
C.F.R. 181, subpart C.
C. The hull
identification number shall be fully visible and unobstructed at all times.
Watercraft manufactured prior to August 1, 1984, are exempt from this
requirement provided the obstruction is original equipment and was attached by
the manufacturer.
D. The Department
shall assign a hull identification number to a watercraft with a missing hull
identification number only if the Department determines:
1. The hull identification number was not
intentionally or illegally removed or altered, unless the application is
accompanied by an order of forfeiture, order of seizure, or other civil
process;
2. The missing hull
identification number was caused by error of the manufacturer or a government
jurisdiction; or
3. The watercraft
is a homemade watercraft as defined under
R12-4-501.
E. The Department may assign a
hull identification number within 30 days of receipt of a valid application, as
described under
R12-4-502.
F. The Department may accept a bill of sale
presented with a missing or nonconforming hull identification number for
registration purposes only when:
1. The hull
identification number matches the nonconforming hull identification number on
the watercraft;
2. Supporting
evidence exists that the seller is the owner of the watercraft;
3. The watercraft is homemade and does not
have a hull identification number; or
4. The watercraft was manufactured prior to
November 1, 1972. .
G. Within 30 days of issuance, the
applicant or registered owner shall:
1. Burn,
carve, stamp, emboss, mold, bond, or otherwise permanently affix each hull
identification number to a non-removable part of the watercraft in a manner
that ensures any alteration, removal, or replacement will be obvious.
2. Ensure the characters of each hull
identification number affixed to the watercraft are no less than 1/4 inch in
height.
3. Permanently affix the
hull identification number as follows:
a. On
watercraft with transoms, affix the hull identification number to the right or
starboard side of the transom within two inches of the top of the transom or
hull/deck joint, whichever is lower.
b. On watercraft without a transom, affix the
hull identification number to the starboard outboard side of the hull, back or
aft within one foot of the stern and within two inches of the top of the hull,
gunwale, or hull/deck joint, whichever is lower.
c. On a catamaran or pontoon boat, affix the
hull identification number on the aft crossbeam within one foot of the
starboard hull attachment.
d. As
close as possible to the applicable location established under subsections (a),
(b), or (c) when rails, fittings, or other accessories obscure the visibility
of the hull identification number.
e. Affix a duplicate of the visibly affixed
hull identification number in an unexposed location on a permanent part of the
hull.
4. Certify to the
Department that the hull identification number was permanently affixed to the
watercraft. The certification statement is furnished by the Department when a
hull identification number is issued. The certification statement shall include
the location of the permanently affixed hull identification
number.
