Lowtide
There apparently is some confusion
about whether registration numbers
By Bob Hargreaves
are required on dinghies powered
by less than 10 hp outboards. This
past summer Olympia Harbor Patrol
stopped and warned people riding
around in such dinghies without
numbers displayed. A sign on the
counter at West Marine warned of Fish
& Wildlife Officers giving a $240 ticket
to someone in a dinghy with a less
than 10 hp outboard and no numbers
displayed. On a walk down almost any
dock, one will see dinghies without
registration numbers displayed. So,
just what is required?
Confusion on Required Display
Most of us know that dinghies
used as tenders that are powered
of Registration Numbers on Dinghies
by outboards of less than 10 hp are
exempt from registration under state
law. See RCW 88.02.030(6). The law (WAC), section 308-93-145(9), that registration – even though “vessels
defines a “tender” as a vessel used reads: documented by the United States
“for direct transportation between [the Is a tender as described in chapter Coast Guard are prohibited from
parent] vessel and the shore and for no 88.02 RCW required to display a displaying the [state] registration
other purpose.” See RCW 88.20.030(6) vessel registration number? Vessels number.” WAC 308-93-145(1)). An
(c) (emphasis added). (So, if you use used as a tender, while exempt from e-mail to the DOL Director that asked
a dinghy with a 9.9 hp outboard to registration under RCW 88.02.030, to “clarify whether the parent vessel
cruise around the waterfront on a must display the numbers of the numbers required to be displayed on
summer evening or to go to Hearthfire parent vessel with an additional a tender... for a United States Coast
for happy hour, it is not exempt from number following the letter of the Guard documented parent vessel are
registration!) vessel registration number. (Example the registration numbers issued by
The registration exemption a) WN 5678 EF 1 or WN-5678-EF-1. the state of Washington or the federal
further requires that the dinghy be The second tender vessel registration documentation numbers” received
“owned by the owner of a vessel for number will be the next consecutive a reply from Toni Smith of Vehicle
which a valid vessel number has been number. (Example b) WN 5678 EF 2 or Licensing at DOL that stated in part:
issued,” RCW 88.02.030(6)(a), and that WN-5678-EF-2. “The state issued WN registration
the dinghy “[display the number of There is a possible ambiguity in number assigned to the parent vessel
that numbered vessel followed by the all of this as it relates to documented must be displayed on the tender with
suffix ‘1’ in the manner prescribed by parent vessels – is the tender required an additional number following the
the department.” RCW 88.02.030(6) to display the federal vessel number letter.”
(b). The “department” means the followed by the suffix “1” or the state So now you know! The required
Department of Licensing (DOL), issued number? (For documented 3-inch high letters/numbers in self-
which has promulgated a rule in the vessels, the state still issues a vessel adhesive vinyl may be purchased at
Washington Administrative Code number – which is found on the boat’s any local marine or hardware store.
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48° No r t h , No v e m b e r 2009 Pa g e 17
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