[ve-l] Display of ducumented number

[hleahy142 at comcast.net]

I checked the USCG Auxiliary Q&A database (search term = document) and they have answered this exact question.

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Documentation Number Display, posted: 4/1/2008

Question: 46CFR67.121 requires that the documentation number preceded by "NO." be placed on the interior of the vessel, etc. The USCG National Vessel Documentation Center has confirmed the requirement. A number of 25- to 30-foot sailing vessels at the Naval Base Sailing Center in our area correctly display the number, except for the "NO.". Many of the boat owners have ornate in-letted plaques fastened per the CFRs, except for the "NO." and don't understand why we are so "Picky" as long as the number on the vessel and the USCG Record of Doucumentation are the same. The owners are all active or retired military and extremely responsible. Can we use our judgment re award of the safety decal in these cases? 

Answer: No. As clearly stated in the Code of Federal Regulations, the official documentation number that is required to be permanently marked on a visible structural part of the vessel must be preceeded by the abbreviation for number "No.". If a vessel owner received a VSC decal and later received a violation citation from a Coast Guard boarding officer or other boating law enforcement officer, the credibility of the Vessel Examiner as well as the entire VSC program would be called into question by the boater as well as the Coast Guard and other boating law administrators. We are not being "picky". We are educating the boating public as to the federal, state, and local boating regulations. The CFR's are not open to "judgement" calls by Vessel Examiners. The respect for the entire VSC program depends on the consistent application of these regulations when awarding a VSC decal. 
George R Bores BC-VTR 

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The Q&A Database can be found at http://safetyseal.net/QandA.asp




Hal Leahy
Palm Beach S&PS