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46 U.S.C. 12301: Numbering vesselsText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 46-SHIPPINGCHAPTER 123-NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS
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§12301. Numbering vessels

(a)  An undocumented vessel equipped with propulsion machinery of any kind shall have a number issued by the proper issuing authority in the State in which the vessel principally is operated.

(b)  The Secretary may require an undocumented barge of more than 100 gross tons operating on the navigable waters of the United States to be numbered.

( Pub. L. 98–89 , Aug. 26, 1983 , 97 Stat. 590 ; Pub. L. 102–587, title V, § 5305 , Nov. 4, 1992 , 106 Stat. 5083 ; Pub. L. 115–282, title V, § 513 , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4276 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

12301

46:1466

Section 12301 requires that undocumented vessels that are propelled by machinery be issued an identification number by the proper issuing authority in the State in which the vessel is primarily operated.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018⁠—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–282 substituted “may” for “shall” and inserted “of” after “barge”.

1992⁠—Pub. L. 102–587 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).