(1) No person shall operate a boat on the waters of this state or be in possession of a boat for which the State Marine Board has issued a certificate of boat title unless such boat has a hull identification number that complies with the requirements of this section. Hull identification numbers must be carved, burned, stamped, embossed, clearly imprinted or otherwise permanently affixed to the outboard side of the transom, or if there is no transom, to the outermost starboard side at the end of the hull that bears the rudder or other steering mechanism above the waterline of the boat in such a way that alteration, removal or replacement would be obvious or evident. No person, firm, association or corporation shall destroy, remove, alter, cover or deface any number awarded to a vessel by the State Marine Board or the manufacturer’s hull identification numbers.
(2) The hull identification numbers required under subsection (1) of this section shall comply with the following:
(a) All vessels built after 1984 shall have two identical hull identification numbers permanently affixed and displayed in accordance with federal regulations.
(b) The primary hull identification number shall be affixed to the outboard side of the vessel’s transom, on the starboard side, within two inches of the top of the transom, gunwale or hull or deck joint, whichever is lowest, or if there is no transom, to the outermost starboard side at the end of the hull that bears the rudder or other steering mechanism above the waterline of the boat in such a way that alteration, removal or replacement would be obvious or evident.
(c) A duplicate hull identification number shall be affixed in an unexposed location on the interior of the vessel or beneath a fitting or item of permanent hardware. A hull identification number may not be attached to any part of the vessel that is removable.
(d) A person who builds a vessel for the person’s own use and not for the purpose of sale shall request a hull identification number from the State Marine Board and affix the awarded number in accordance with this section. [Formerly 488.778; 1999 c.391 §2]
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