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46 U.S.C. § 12502 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 46. Shipping § 12502. Identification numbers, signal letters, and markings

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) For the identification of a vessel of the United States, the Secretary of Transportation--

(1) shall maintain a unique numbering system and assign a number to each vessel of the United States;

(2) may maintain a system of signal letters for a documented vessel;

(3) shall record a name selected by the owner of a documented vessel approved by the Secretary as the vessel's name of record; and

(4) may establish other identification markings.

(b) The manufacturer or owner of a vessel shall affix to the vessel and maintain in the manner prescribed by the Secretary the number assigned and any other markings the Secretary may require.

(c) Once a number is assigned under this section, it may not be used by another vessel.

(d) Once a documented vessel's name is established, the name may not be changed without the approval of the Secretary.

(e) A person may not tamper with or falsify a number or other marking required under this section.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - 46 U.S.C. § 12502 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 46. Shipping § 12502. Identification numbers, signal letters, and markings - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-46-shipping/46-usc-sect-12502/

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