GL: PROPER DISPLAY OF NAME AND HAILING PORT

[Ralph Yost (home)]

Ok I am going to answer my own question.......
I just entered the following into GOOGLE (exactly as shown).
46CFR67 Sec. 67.123 (c)

which produced one very good result -
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/12feb20041500/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/octqtr/pdf/46cfr67.121.pdf

or
http://tinyurl.com/3349um
(if the long URL gets chopped by email truncation)

The pertinent paragraph I found is

(c) Recreational vessels. For vessels documented exclusively for recreation, 
the name and hailing port must be marked together on some clearly visible 
exterior part of the hull. (d) The markings required by paragraphs (a), (b), 
and (c) of this section, which may be made by the use of any
means and materials which result in durable markings, must be made in 
clearly legible letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals
not less than four inches in height.

Here is MY interpretation -
1. A documented recreational boat must have a properly labeled name and 
hailing clearly visible on the hull.
2. When carrying an object that would obstruct clear visibility of the 
name/hailing port, it would be appropriate -in keeping with the spirit of 
the law- (italics intended) to provide alternative markings for name/hailing 
port that would temporarily -substitute- for those on the vessel. These 
temporary markings should be CLEARLY visible in order to comply with the 
spirit of the law.

IMO, if you did this, you would have a very defendable case before a judge 
if you were cited as being in violation of  46CFR67 Sec. 67.123 (c).

R.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ralph Yost (home)" <Ralph at AlphaCompServices.com>

> "Vessel Examiner Guidance" is NOT the Code of Federal Regulations.
> Note that "guidance" is not equal to "law".
>
> Now you have got ME wanting to read the CFR, for myself, if anyone can
> provide it.
>
> R.