REGULATION OF MOTORBOATS 71 



SUBCHAPTER 2B.— FEDERAL BOATING ACT OF 1958 



Definitions (Federal Boating Act) 

 46 U.S.C. 527 



As used in this subchapter — 



(1) the term "undocumented vessel" means any vessel which 

 is not required to have, and does not have, a valid marine document 

 issued by the Bureau of Customs. 



(2) The word ''vessel" includes every description of watercraft, 

 other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as 

 a means of transportation on water, 



(3) The word "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Depart- 

 ment in which the Coast Guard is operating. 



(4) The word "'owner" means the person who claims lawful 

 possession of a vessel by virtue of legal title or equitable interest 

 therein which entitles him to possession. 



(5) The term "State" means a State of the United States, the 

 Commonwealth of Puerto Kico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and the 

 District of Columbia. 



Numbering of vessels 

 46 U.S.C. 527a 



(a) Every undocumented vessel propelled by machinery of more 

 than 10 horsepower, whether or not such machinery is the principal 

 source of propulsion, using the navigable water of the United States, 

 the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and the 

 District of Columbia, and every such vessel owned in a State and using 

 the high seas, shall be numbered in accordance with this subchapter, 

 except — 



(1) foreign vessels temporarily using tlie navigable waters of 

 the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Kico, the Virgin 

 Islands, Guam and the District of Columbia ; 



(2) public vessels of the United States ; 



(3) State and municipal vessels ; 



(4) ships' lifeboats; and 



(5) vessels designated by the Secretary under section 527(b) of 

 this title. 



(b) The owner of an undocumented vessel required to be numbered 

 under subsection (a) of this section shall secure a number for such 

 vessel in the State in which it is principally used, in accordance with 

 the State numbering system approved by the Secretary in accordance 

 with subsection (c) of this section, or if no such numbering system 

 has been approved by the Secretary for the State where such vessel 

 is principally used, shall secure a number for such vessel in accordance 

 with subsection (d) of this section. 



(c) The Secretary shall establish an overall numbering system for 

 the numbering of vessels required to be numl>ered under subsection (a) 

 of this section. He shall approve any State system for numbering 

 vessels which is submitted to him which meets the standards set forth 

 below : 



(1) The system of numbering shall be in accordance with the 

 overall system of numbering established by the Secretary. 



