Laws and Safety Equipment

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REGISTRATION, NUMBERING, AND DOCUMENTATION

Numbering

Every vessel using the waters of this state needs to be numbered, except those vessels exempted and those vessels documented by the United States Coast Guard. The certificate of number needs to be on the vessel and the numbers from the certificate must be displayed on each side of the forward half of the vessel, unless the vessel is documented by the USCG.

Numbers must:

• read from left to right
• be in block characters
• contrast in color with the background
• Be at least three inches in height nor more than one inch apart.
• There shall be a hyphen or space between the prefix letters and numerals and between the numerals and the suffix No number other than the number validly assigned to a vessel shall be painted, attached, or otherwise displayed on either side of the forward half of the vessel.
• The decals assigned to all registered vessels must be displayed one on each side of the bow preceding the prefix letters. There shall be a hyphen or space separating each decal and the prefix letters. The hyphen or space shall be equal to the width of any letter except I.
• On vessels so configured that a number on the hull or superstructure would not be easily visible, the number can be painted on or attached to a backing plate that is attached to the forward half of the vessel so that the number will be clearly visible under normal operating conditions.
• The numbers shall be maintained in a legible condition.

The number placed on the forward half of the vessel by the owner must be removed by the owner if:

• The vessel is documented under the laws of the United States
• The certificate or number becomes invalid because it is determined that a false or fraudulent statement was made in the application or the fees have not been paid
• The vessel is no longer used in this state.

Vessels Exempt from Numbering

• Not motor propelled
• Sailboats less than 12 feet
• USCG Documented vessels
• Registered in another state, provided that such vessel shall not be used on the waters of this state for a period in excess of 60 consecutive days
• From a country other than the United States, provided that such vessel shall not be used on the waters of this state for a period in excess of 60 consecutive days
• A vessel´s lifeboat if the boat is used solely for lifesaving purposes; this exemption does not include dinghies, tenders, speedboats, or other types of craft carried aboard vessels and used for other than lifesaving purposes
• A vessel that is used exclusively for racing
• The vessel would also be exempt from numbering if it were subject to the federal law
• Operating temporarily by virtue of evidence that a recent application for a certificate of number has been submitted
• Used exclusively on privately owned ponds or lakes, except for those licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

15-DAY RULE

• The owner shall furnish the department written notice of the transfer of all or of any part of his or her interest, other than the creation of a security interest, in a vessel, the theft or recovery of the vessel, or the destruction or abandonment of the vessel within 15 days.
• A void certificate must be surrendered to the department within 15 days from the date that it becomes or is declared to be void.
• Any holder of a certificate of number shall notify the department in writing within 15 days if his or her address changes.

Registration Period of Three Years

The date of expiration shall be determined by the date of birth of the new owner.

Change of Ownership

Should the ownership of a numbered vessel change while the registration is in effect, a new application form with a transfer fee of $3.00 shall be filed with the department.

If registration has lapsed, a new application needs to be filed with the department.

Overloading and Capacity Plate Requirement

'Capacity plate' means a plate attached to watercraft with information thereon as provided in this article.

'Manufacturer' means a person, firm, or corporation who constructs or assembles a watercraft or alters a watercraft in such manner as to change its weight capacity.

'Watercraft' means any boat, vessel, or craft, other than a seaplane, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, which is less than 26 feet in length and is designed to carry two or more persons.

It shall be unlawful to manufacture, sell, or offer for sale in Georgia any watercraft to which a capacity plate has not been attached.

A capacity plate shall bear the following information, permanently marked thereon in such manner as to be clearly visible and legible from the position designed or normally intended to be occupied by the operator of the watercraft when the watercraft is in operation:

For all watercraft designed for or represented by the manufacturer as being suitable for use with an outboard motor:

• The total weight of all persons, motor, gear, and other articles which the watercraft is capable of carrying with safety under normal conditions;
• The recommended number of persons commensurate with the weight capacity of the watercraft and the presumed weight in pounds of each such person; but in no instance shall such presumed weight per person be less than 150 pounds;
• Clear notice that the information appearing on the capacity plate is applicable under normal conditions and that the weight of the outboard motor and associated equipment is considered to be part of the total weight capacity; and
• The maximum horsepower of the motor which the watercraft is designed or intended to accommodate.

For all other watercraft:

• The total weight of all persons, gear, and other articles which the watercraft is capable of carrying with safety under normal conditions;
• The recommended number of persons commensurate with the weight capacity of the watercraft and the presumed weight in pounds of each such person; but in no instance shall such presumed weight per person be less than 150 pounds; and
• Clear notice that the information appearing on the capacity plate is applicable under normal conditions.