Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102
§12301 Numbering Vessels
Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part H — Identification of Vessels › CHAPTER 123 — NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS › § 12301
Summary
Undocumented powered vessels need a State-issued number where they’re mainly used; the Secretary may require barges over 100 gross tons on U.S. navigable waters be numbered.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §12301
Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(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.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 1230146:1466 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).
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 12301
Title 46, Shipping
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102