5-322. Motorized watercraft to be numbered; exceptions

A. All motorized watercraft whether underway, moored or anchored on the waters within the boundaries of the state shall be numbered in accordance with this chapter or rules of the commission in accordance with the federally approved numbering system except:

1. Foreign watercraft temporarily using the waters of the state.

2. Military or public vessels of the United States, except recreational type public vessels.

3. Watercraft used solely as lifeboats.

4. Undocumented watercraft operating under a valid temporary certificate issued pursuant to rules adopted by the commission.

5. Documented watercraft numbered in accordance with the regulations of the United States coast guard.

B. Motorized watercraft owned and operated exclusively by the state or by any political subdivision of the state shall be numbered, but no registration fee shall be paid on the watercraft.

C. All owners of motorized watercraft when in the course of interstate operation displaying a current and valid number issued under an approved federal numbering system of the United States coast guard, a state, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam or the District of Columbia shall register such watercraft with the department before the expiration of the reciprocity period prescribed by rules of the commission.

D. All motorized watercraft, when in the course of interstate operation and not required to be numbered in their state of principal operation, shall comply with the requirements of subsection C of this section.

E. When this state becomes the new state of principal operation of a motorized watercraft displaying a current number issued under a federally approved numbering system, the validity of such number shall be recognized for a period of ninety days. On expiration of the ninety-day period and before any subsequent use, the owner shall number any motorized watercraft pursuant to section 5-321.

F. Each dealer or manufacturer in this state engaged in the sale of motorized watercraft using the watercraft for demonstration shall obtain one or more dealer watercraft certificates of number with the current validating decals. Applications, fees for each certificate of number and accompanying current decals, renewal and display of certificates of number shall be as prescribed in this chapter or by rules of the commission.