By Bob Currie, Vessel Examiner
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 081-06-08
USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 081-06-08 is based at Coast Guard Station Galveston. The Auxiliary’s vessel examiners perform safety checks on all types of recreational boats. In this discussion of the Vessel Safety Check (VSC), we will discuss registration numbers and documented vessels. All boats equipped with propulsion machinery (engines) must be registered either in the state where they are principally used or, as a documented vessel, with the U.S. Coast Guard (33 CFR 173.27 and 46 CFR 67). Recreational boats registered with state governments are assigned a registration number consisting of letters and numerals; U.S. Coast Guard documented vessels are issued a six or seven digit “official” number. In either case, the boat must be marked with the appropriate number.

Texas Registration and Title Requirements
1. All motorized boats, regardless of length
2. All sailboats 14 feet in length or longer or any sailboat with an auxiliary engine
3. USCG Documented vessels must also be registered and display a state sticker
4. All outboard motors must be titled
5. Trailers are registered/titled through your county tax office
6. Exempted vessels: All (non-motorized) canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats, paddle craft, or rubber rafts when paddled, poled, or oared, and sailboats under 14 feet in length when windblown.

The boat’s registration number, if required, must be permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the boat. The letters and numerals must be painted or permanently attached. They must be plain block letters and numerals at least three inches high and in a color that contrasts with the background against which they are affixed. They also must read from left to right. In Texas, the validation decal must be affixed in a line with and 3 inches towards the rear of the boat from the registration number. No other letters or numerals may be displayed nearby. The state issued identification number consists of two letters identifying the state, followed by a group of one to four numerals and one or two more letters. The letter and numeral groupings must be separated by spaces or hyphens that are equal to the width of a letter wider than “I” or the number 1. Example: TX 0123 AB.

USCG documented vessels (usually 25 feet or longer) must have the official number permanently on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. Documented vessels also must display the name and hailing port (city and state) of the boat together in one place (usually on the stern) in letters that are at least four inches high and are clearly readable.

Note: Due to Hurricane Harvey, check your boat for snakes before venturing out onto the water. Better to find that 6-foot water moccasin in the driveway than on the high seas.

For more information on boating safety, please visit the Official Website of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division at www.uscgboating.org.

Questions about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or our free Vessel Safety Check program may be directed to me at [email protected]. SAFE BOATING!
[9-5-2017]