(a) All vessels subject to this subchapter shall be divided into classes as follows and subject to the appropriate registration fees:

(b) The registration number may be retained by the owner in the event of a transfer by paying a fee of $3.45 per transfer. In the event a duplicate registration card is required, there shall be a fee of $2.30.

(c) Nonresident vessels using the waters of this State for principal use over 60 days and nonresidents owning a boat docked and/or stowed in waters of this State for over 60 days shall be required to register with the Department. Registration of a motorboat shall not be valid for more than 3 years.

(d) Dealers shall be issued 1 registration number for a fee of $11.50 and for each additional number the dealer shall pay a fee of $5.75, to be used for demonstration purposes only.

(e) Any vessel utilizing tidal water boat access facilities provided by the Department shall be registered as required in this section in the State (which license includes funds for maintenance of these facilities under § 2118(b) of this title) or shall purchase a “boat ramp certificate.” Boats belonging to the United States government (except recreational type public vessels), State and any rescue vessel operated for the public benefit are exempt from this requirement. The “boat ramp certificate” shall cost $35, shall be affixed in a satisfactory location to the boat for which intended and shall be nontransferable. Income accrued from the sale of boat ramp certificates is appropriated to the Department (Division of Fish and Wildlife) and shall be used in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act [16 U.S.C. § 777 et seq.].

(f) Beginning July 1, 2000 and annually thereafter, the funds derived by the State from Boat Registration Fees shall be deposited as Appropriated Special Funds by the Department with the State Treasurer.

(g) Effective January 1, 2017, and annually thereafter, the funds derived by the State from the registration fees pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be deposited as appropriated special funds by the Department with the State Treasurer, and 50 percent of those funds shall be considered a Waterway Management Fund.

(h) Fifty percent of all funds collected pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be considered a Waterway Management Fund and the Department shall be authorized to utilize these waterway management funds in the maintenance of Delaware’s public waterways for the purposes defined in waterway management in this subchapter. In addition, the Secretary may direct the Department to perform any other waterway management services that may be identified to preserve, maintain and enhance recreational and commercial use of the State’s waters.

59 Del. Laws, c. 576, § 1; 60 Del. Laws, c. 224, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 303, § 1; 63 Del. Laws, c. 27, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 334, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 221, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 260, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 9, §§ 10, 11; 68 Del. Laws, c. 86, §§ 11-13; 71 Del. Laws, c. 443, § 6; 72 Del. Laws, c. 395, § 272; 80 Del. Laws, c. 331, § 2.