MOTC Manual - edited

Definitions:
Vessel – All types of watercraft other than seaplanes.
Boats – Primarily used for non-commercial use, owned, leased rented or chartered
for non-commercial activities, engaged in the carry of six or fewer passengers for
hire.
Documented Vessels – Federally documented with the U.S. Coast Guard for
commercial or recreational use.
Registered Boats – State registered for non-commercial use or limited commercial
enterprise.
Public Vessels – Vessels owned by the federal government, a state, or political
subdivision thereof, may be state registered or federally documented, recreational
type public vessels are subject to the rules of FBSA/71.
The type, amount and condition of the boats equipment are essential components to safety
and mission success. Every boater should strive to be SAFE, LEGAL and EFFECTIVE with
each and every voyage.
Registration, Documentation, Numbering and Agency Labeling
All motorized vessels must be registered, documented and/or properly labeled and marked
as required for public vessels.
Public Vessels may mark and identify federal/state government boats with agency
identifiers in lieu of registration and documentation requirements.
Federally Documented Vessels are vessels that are at least five net tons in size
and owned by an American citizen and are “documented” with the U. S. Coast Guard.
Documented vessels must display, minimum 4” in height, the boats name on and
vessels home or hailing port in the same location on the hull.The vessels federal
documentation number,must be permanantly affixed to a structurally integral part of
the vessel in an accessable location at least 3” in height and preceded by “No.” (eg.
No 1234567.)
State Registered Boats depend on individual state requirements, registered boats
will be titled with the certificate of number/registration and a copy should be kept
onboard when operating on state waters. If a vessel does not have a motor it may
still need to be registered depending on the specific state laws and the length
requirements for individual state registration. These registration and titling
requirements can differ and you should consult the State in which you are operating
your boat for state by state specific information.
Registering your boat means applying with your state boating authority for a certificate of
number. All undocumented vessels equipped with propulsion machinery MUST be registered
in the state of principal use, except for qualifying public vessels.
The registration number is actually a combination of letters and numbers normally
beginning with the abbreviation of the State in which the boat is registered and must be
DOI – Motorboat Operator Certification Course Chapter 3 - 2