GL: PROPER DISPLAY OF NAME AND HAILING PORT

[Bill Donovan]

I asked John Gill for the CFR or reference for the problem of the 
dinghy blocking the name of the vessel.

He replied that is is not illegal to put the name of the vessel on 
the dinghy, but doesn't satisfy the requirement that the name be 
"clearly visible."  He also sent me this reference (which I quote, 
since the list won't allow attachment):

Vessel Examiner Guidance (provided by Chief John Malatak of the
USCG Office of Boating Safety on 29 Jan 2005)
"If during the course of a VSC you observe the name and hailing port of a
documented recreational vessel is temporarily obscured by a dinghy, or anything
hung over the side, have the owner move the dinghy and inspect the markings on
the hull. If the markings are in compliance in all other respects, 
then the VSC criteria
for that item are met. You then will instruct the owner that covering 
of the hull
markings may result in a citation by a law enforcement officer if 
boarded. Explain to
the owner in order to prevent a possible violation, they have the 
option to move the
dinghy to another location, or mark the hull in another location. FURTHER
EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT PLACING THE NAME AND HAILING PORT ON
THE BOTTOM OF THE DINGHY DOES NOT RELIEVE THEM OF THE
REQUIREMENTS TO HAVE THE HULL PROPERLY MARKED".