Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 9, § 5523. Identifying numbers

A. Every builder shall assign a hull number to each ship to be constructed by such builder.

B. The builder shall affix a plaque showing the name of the builder, the hull number, and the parish in which the ship is to be constructed, to the keel of the ship, if the ship has a keel, or to the bottom plates, if the ship does not have a keel, when laid, so as to be clearly visible at all times during the performance of the work and until the decking is laid. At such time as the decking is laid, the aforementioned plaque shall be removed and permanently affixed to the weather deck so as to be clearly visible at all times during continuance of the work and after completion.

C. The builder shall mark or stamp on all materials, title to which is in the purchaser, and all materials, title to which is in the builder and on which the builder has granted a mortgage pursuant to this Chapter, the hull number of the ship of which such materials will form a part, upon the delivery of such materials to the shipyard, or alternatively, maintain records which will identify with certainty all such materials with the hull number of the ship under construction.

D. The builder shall mark or stamp on all components, title to which is in the purchaser, and all components, title to which is in the builder and on which the builder has granted a mortgage pursuant to this Chapter, the hull number of the ship of which such components will form a part, upon commencement of the fabrication thereof, or alternatively, maintain records which will identify with certainty all such components with the hull number of the ship under construction.

E. Each contract shall state the hull number of the ship to be constructed pursuant to the contract.