Code of Massachusetts Regulations
323 CMR - DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
Title 323 CMR 2.00 - The Use Of Vessels
Section 2.03 - Vessel Identification

(1) Number. The first part of the number shall be an abbreviation in capital letters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts "MS". The remainder of the boat number shall consist of not more than four arabic numerals and not more than two capital letters, in sequence, separated by a hyphen or equivalent. Since the letters "I", "O" and "Q" may be mistaken for arabic numerals, all letter sequences using "I", "O" and "Q" shall be omitted. The bow number shall be spaced: MS 9999 ZZ. Objectionable words formed by the use of two or three letters may not be used.

(2) Limit. There is no limit to the number of boats which may be demonstrated with each demonstration or testing number, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 90B, § 3(b) provided a particular number is displayed on only one vessel at a time. If two or more dealers' or manufacturers' boats are to be demonstrated or tested at the same time, two or more individual dealers' or manufacturers' numbers are required.

(3) Dealers. M.G.L. c. 90B, § 3(b) shall not apply to motorboats owned by a dealer or manufacturer and which are being used for purposes other than testing or demonstrating. Said motorboats shall have permanent numbers.

(4) Decal. In addition to displaying the identification number of a vessel as required by M.G.L. c. 90B, § 3, the owner of a vessel shall display at the end of such number the then current registration decal of the Division of Law Enforcement on port (left) of the vessel within six inches of the final identification number or letter, as the case may be.

For example MS 9999 ZZ [ ], with the [ ] being the decal.