Proper USCG documented vessel signage

[Green Eyed Lady]

I’ve read the USCG requirements for signage, posted on the stern and clearly visible……
Since our dinghy is on our swim platform, my husband wants to put it above the boat’s stern on the rail wall. It will be clearly visible there. Does anyone know if that will be a problem?

 

[psneeld]

I had it both places just to be sure.

Nice one on the stern (behind the dingy) and a simple piece of black starboard with the required size white lettering mounted to the rail on the after part of the flybridge.

If on the stern you are technically in compliance. There are no exact requirements for WHERE the markings can be clearly seen. My personal view as a former USCG LE individual... if a helicopter or approaching small boat cannot read your name/hailing port from a safe distance...then I suggest a secondary marking which is still subject to dispute. Bottom line....gray area.

CFR title-46/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-67/subpart-I
Recreational vessels. For vessels documented exclusively for recreation, the name and hailing port must be marked together on some clearly visible exterior part of the hull.
(d) The markings required by paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, which may be made by the use of any means and materials which result in durable markings, must be made in clearly legible letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals not less than four inches in height.

§ 67.125 Disputes.​

The OCMI for the zone in which the vessel is principally operated has final authority in any disputes concerning the permanence, durability, legibility, or placement of a vessel's markings.

 

[O C Diver]

I’ve read the USCG requirements for signage, posted on the stern and clearly visible……
Since our dinghy is on our swim platform, my husband wants to put it above the boat’s stern on the rail wall. It will be clearly visible there. Does anyone know if that will be a problem?

Have seen it done in a number of different ways. If it's clearly visible from behind, most law enforcement will give you a pass for making the effort to comply.

While I rarely pass other boats because of my cruising speed, if you want people to call on the radio to give you a slow pass, make it easy to read your boat's name.

Ted

 

[AnsleyS]

Also the size, color and type font of your marking are important in others ability to read while still a ways behind you.

 

[CaptTom]

I had a vinyl "banner" made up at a sign shop. I can hang that on the aft flybridge railing if I'm covering the transom with a dinghy. And, as was pointed out, it's easier to see by anyone behind you wanting to overtake. This is less of an issue with AIS these days.

 

[jgwinks]

I've seen quite a few with the dinghy in Weaver davits and the name and port marked on the bottom of the dinghy as well as on the big boat transom. Visible whether the dinghy is there or not.

 

[Comodave]

The name and hailing port need to be at least 4” tall letters. They need to be together. If the dinghy obscures the name on the transom some people put the name and port on the bottom of the dinghy so when the dinghy is tipped up the name and port are visible . That doesn’t meet the requirements of the rules but most LE will give you some slack if you have the name and port on the transom and on the dinghy bottom. You are making a sincere attempt to meet the rules.

 

[psneeld]

If the dinghy is on davits and can't display the name/hailing port well..... then the name board on the aft rail spot is probably even better as the bottom of a dinghy can take some abuse and obscure some of the markings.

 

[Bacchus]

The name and hailing port need to be at least 4” tall letters. They need to be together. If the dinghy obscures the name on the transom some people put the name and port on the bottom of the dinghy so when the dinghy is tipped up the name and port are visible . That doesn’t meet the requirements of the rules but most LE will give you some slack if you have the name and port on the transom and on the dinghy bottom. You are making a sincere attempt to meet the rules.

I agree... any approach that technically doesn't meet reqs but is a conscious effort to comply usually gets a pass.

 

[Chuck34]

I've seen quite a few with the dinghy in Weaver davits and the name and port marked on the bottom of the dinghy as well as on the big boat transom. Visible whether the dinghy is there or not.

I’ve seen that as well. Seems like a perfect solution

 

[tcoop]

We have a Seawise davit, between the PO and us it has been blocking the name for 14 years without issue. We have been boarded a few times with nothing being said. We did just put the name on the cover this year. I do intend to paint the name one the bottom of the dinghy at some point.

 

[slowgoesit]

Your hailing port reminds me of the bumper sticker: "Don't come to St. Helens, St. Helens will come to you!" (May 18, 1980)

 

[tcoop]

I was supposed to start my professional career on May 19th, 1980. Driving toward the Portland area on the 18th, I made it to Ritzville Washington where the ash and a state trooper made me stop. A few days later I was able to head east to my folks home with 4 inches of ash all over my belongings. I started work on the 28th.

 

[dhays]

My name and hailing port are obscured when my dinghy is on the Seawise davits. I don't like it but it seems to comply with the requirements. I have often considered painting the name on the bottom of the dinghy, but it wouldn't survive many beaching on our rough beaches here. I think I may consider what @psneeld suggested, putting some type of removable name plate on the aft of the boat deck railing. My concern isn't the USCG requirements, but as a courtesy to other boaters so they can see my name when out on the water.

 

[psneeld]

Kinda cracks me up... go over to an AIS thread and you are almost a criminal if you aren't broadcasting and receiving this little tidbit of information.

 

[dhays]

Kinda cracks me up... go over to an AIS thread and you are almost a criminal if you aren't broadcasting and receiving this little tidbit of information.

Yeah, if a AIS transponder was a cheap and easy install, I'd love to have one.

 

[rslifkin]

Yeah, if a AIS transponder was a cheap and easy install, I'd love to have one.

Not super cheap, but relatively easy. I think my install cost just over $1000 total (transponder, antenna, wiring, etc.). Install time from unboxing to testing was somewhere in the 2 - 3 hour range and easily half of that was just running the antenna cable and soldering PL259 connectors onto it.

 

[amapola]

I would comply with USCG requirement and have an additional banner on the railing. Like others, I feel it's important that other boaters are easily able to read your boat name from a distance.