Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Your Motorboat’s Registration

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Massachusetts, you must have a Massachusetts Certificate of Number (boat registration) to operate a motorboat legally on Massachusetts waters. Exceptions to registration are:

• Vessels without any kind of motor (unpowered canoes, sailboats, or tenders)
• Vessels properly registered in another state and using Massachusetts waters for 60 or fewer consecutive days
• Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard

The Certificate of Number and validation decal are obtained by submitting the proper application form and fee to the Massachusetts Environmental Police.

The Certificate of Number (pocket-sized card) must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is being operated.

Display of Number and Decal

The registration number and validation decal must be displayed as follows.

• Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed on the forward half of each side of the vessel and placed to be clearly visible.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the vessel.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high bold, BLOCK letters.
• Number’s color must contrast sharply with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by two-inch spaces or hyphens:
  MS 3717 ZW or MS-3717-ZW.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
• The validation decal should be placed in line with and within six inches following the registration number on the port (left) side of the vessel.

If your vessel requires registration, it is illegal to operate it or allow others to operate your vessel unless it is registered and numbered as described above.

Displayed on the port (left) side only

PWCs also are required to display the registration number and validation decal. Note that the decal is displayed only on the port (left) side of a vessel.

Other Facts About Registering and Titling Your Motorboat

A Certificate of Number is valid for two years from the date it is issued. Owners of vessels that have already been registered will be sent a renewal notice to their residence at least one month prior to the expiration of their current registration.

All vessels 14 feet or greater in length that require registration also must be titled. The title application must be made to the Massachusetts Environmental Police within 20 days of purchasing a vessel. The title certificate is valid for the life of the vessel or until the vessel is sold or otherwise transferred, at which time the new owner must transfer the title.

The Massachusetts Environmental Police must be notified within 15 days of any of these events:

• The sale, trade, or transfer of ownership of a registered vessel
• The abandonment, destruction, loss, or theft of a registered vessel
• The change of address of the owner of a registered vessel
• The destruction or loss of a Certificate of Number or validation decal

Boat trailers are registered and titled under the same requirements as passenger cars. Application is made through the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Some smaller trailers need not be titled.

Larger recreational vessels owned by U.S. citizens may (at the option of the owner) be documented by the U.S. Coast Guard. Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. Documented vessels are exempt from Massachusetts registration and titling requirements.

Registration Questions?
Call the Massachusetts Registration Office at 617-626-1610 or visit www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dle/. You also may renew your registration online at www.sport.state.ma.us.

Hull Identification Number

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique, 12-digit or 17-digit number assigned by the manufacturer to vessels built after 1972.

Hull Identification Numbers:

• Distinguish one vessel from another—the same as serial numbers distinguish one car from another.
• Are engraved in the fiberglass or on a metal plate permanently attached to the transom.

You should write down your HIN and put it in a place separate from your vessel in case warranty problems arise or your vessel is stolen.

It is illegal to remove or in any way falsify a Hull Identification Number.

If your vessel is homemade or built before 1972, contact the Massachusetts Environmental Police to inspect the vessel. The inspecting officer will affix a state-assigned Hull Identification Number to the vessel.