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PUBLIC LAW 85-911-SEPT. 2, 1958

[72

ST AT,

Public Law 85-911 September 2, 1958 [H.R. 11078]

Federal Boating Act of 1958. Definitions.

N u m b e r i n g of vessels.

Exceptions.

Post, p. 1757.

AN ACT To promote boating safety on the navigable waters of the United States, its Territories, and the District of Columbia; to provide coordination and cooperation with the States in the interest of uniformity of boating laws; and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Federal Boating Act of 1958". SEC. 2. As used in sections 3 to 5, inclusive, and sections 7 to 13, inclusive, of this Act— (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 Department 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 such possession. (5) The term "State" means a State of the United States, a Territory of the United States, and the District of Columbia. SEC. 3. (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, its Territories 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 Act, except— (1) foreign vessels temporarily using the navigable waters of the United States, its Territories 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 7(b) of this Act. (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, snail 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 numbered under subsection (a) of this section. He shall approve any State system for numbering vessels which is submitted to him which meets the standards sot forth below: (1) The system of numbering shall be in accordance with the overall system of numbering established by the Secretary. (2) The certificate of number and the number awarded shall be valid for a period not exceeding three years, unless canceled or surrendered, and may be renewed for additional periods. (3) The number awarded shall be required to be painted on, or attached to, each side of the bow of the vessel for which it was issued, and shall be of such size, color, and type, as may be prescribed by

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