§ 88.02.030. Exceptions from vessel registration -- Use of excess document identification fee for boating safety programs -- Rules
Vessel registration is required under this chapter except for the following:
(1) Military or public vessels of the United States, except recreational-type public vessels;
(2) Vessels owned by a state or subdivision thereof, used principally for governmental purposes and clearly identifiable as such;
(3) Vessels either (a) registered or numbered under the laws of a country other than the United States; or (b) having a valid United States customs service cruising license issued pursuant to 19 C.F.R. Sec. 4.94. On or before the sixty-first day of use in the state, any vessel in the state under this subsection shall obtain an identification document from the department of licensing, its agents, or subagents indicating when the vessel first came into the state. At the time of any issuance of an identification document, a thirty dollar identification document fee shall be paid by the vessel owner to the department of licensing for the cost of providing the identification document by the department of licensing. Five dollars from each such transaction must be deposited in the derelict vessel removal account created in RCW 79.100.100. Any moneys remaining from the fee after the payment of costs and the deposit to the derelict vessel removal account shall be allocated to counties by the state treasurer for approved boating safety programs under RCW 88.02.045. The department of licensing shall adopt rules to implement its duties under this subsection, including issuing and displaying the identification document and collecting the thirty dollar fee;
(4) Vessels that have been issued a valid number under federal law or by an approved issuing authority of the state of principal operation. However, a vessel that is validly registered in another state but that is removed to this state for principal use is subject to registration under this chapter. The issuing authority for this state shall recognize the validity of the numbers previously issued for a period of sixty days after arrival in this state;
(5) Vessels owned by a nonresident if the vessel is located upon the waters of this state exclusively for repairs, alteration, or reconstruction, or any testing related to the repair, alteration, or reconstruction conducted in this state if an employee of the repair, alteration, or construction facility is on board the vessel during any testing. However, any vessel owned by a nonresident is located upon the waters of this state exclusively for repairs, alteration, reconstruction, or testing for a period longer than sixty days, that the nonresident shall file an affidavit with the department of revenue verifying the vessel is located upon the waters of this state for repair, alteration, reconstruction, or testing and shall continue to file such affidavit every sixty days thereafter, while the vessel is located upon the waters of this state exclusively for repairs, alteration, reconstruction, or testing;
(6) Vessels equipped with propulsion machinery of less than ten horsepower that:
(a) Are owned by the owner of a vessel for which a valid vessel number has been issued;
(b) Display the number of that numbered vessel followed by the suffix "1" in the manner prescribed by the department; and
(c) Are used as a tender for direct transportation between that vessel and the shore and for no other purpose;
(7) Vessels under sixteen feet in overall length which have no propulsion machinery of any type or which are not used on waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or on the high seas beyond the territorial seas for vessels owned in the United States and are powered by propulsion machinery of ten or less horsepower;
(8) Vessels with no propulsion machinery of any type for which the primary mode of propulsion is human power;
(9) Vessels primarily engaged in commerce which have or are required to have a valid marine document as a vessel of the United States. Commercial vessels which the department of revenue determines have the external appearance of vessels which would otherwise be required to register under this chapter, must display decals issued annually by the department of revenue that indicate the vessel's exempt status;
(10) Vessels primarily engaged in commerce which are owned by a resident of a country other than the United States;
(11) Vessels owned by a nonresident individual brought into the state for his or her use or enjoyment while temporarily within the state for not more than six months in any continuous twelve-month period, unless the vessel is used in conducting a nontransitory business activity within the state. However, the vessel must have been issued a valid number under federal law or by an approved issuing authority of the state of principal operation. On or before the sixty-first day of use in the state, any vessel temporarily in the state under this subsection shall obtain an identification document from the department of licensing, its agents, or subagents indicating when the vessel first came into the state. An identification document shall be valid for a period of two months. At the time of any issuance of an identification document, a twenty-five dollar identification document fee shall be paid by the vessel owner to the department of licensing for the cost of providing the identification document by the department of licensing. Any moneys remaining from the fee after payment of costs shall be allocated to counties by the state treasurer for approved boating safety programs under RCW 88.02.045. The department of licensing shall adopt rules to implement its duties under this subsection, including issuing and displaying the identification document and collecting the twenty-five dollar fee; and
(12) Vessels used in this state by a nonresident individual possessing a valid use permit issued under RCW 82.08.700 or 82.12.700.
[2007 c 22 § 3; 2002 c 286 § 12; 1998 c 198 § 1; 1997 c 83 § 1; 1991 c 339 § 30. Prior: 1989 c 393 § 13; 1989 c 102 § 1; 1985 c 452 § 1; 1984 c 250 § 2; 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 § 44; 1983 c 7 § 16.]
Notes:
Effective date -- 2007 c 22: See note following RCW 82.08.700.
Severability -- Effective date -- 2002 c 286: See RCW 79.100.900 and 79.100.901.
Effective date -- 1998 c 198: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 27, 1998]." [1998 c 198 § 2.]
Effective date -- 1985 c 452: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1985." [1985 c 452 § 2.]
Construction -- Severability -- Effective dates -- 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3: See notes following RCW 82.04.255.
Commission to adopt rules: RCW 79A.60.595.
Partial exemption from ad valorem taxes of ships and vessels exempt from excise tax under RCW 88.02.030(9): RCW 84.36.080. Sections: Previous 88.02.010 88.02.020 88.02.023 88.02.025 88.02.028 88.02.030 88.02.035 88.02.040 88.02.045 88.02.050 88.02.052 88.02.053 88.02.055 88.02.060 88.02.070 Next
Last modified: April 7, 2009