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View Full Version : Unregistered vessel (motor yacht) case



Hamilton Reef
08-20-2006, 07:59 PM
CO Reports for 7/31/06 - 8/13/06
DISTRICT 4
CO Durance Paul reports a favorable ruling on a complex defense motion in an unregistered vessel (motor yacht) case. Among other things, the motion claimed that state jurisdiction on the matter was superseded by federal law. Immediately after the ruling, the defense counsel assured the prosecutor and CO Paul that the vessel would be registered forthwith. This is only the latest in a long string of successful prosecutions by CO Paul regarding the owners of unregistered very large and very expensive vessels. (Failing to register a vessel also results in a failure to pay required state sales tax.)



SabikiRig
08-21-2006, 04:05 PM
Interesting....

In some states vessels that are documented with the USCG can be operated in state waters WITHOUT state registration.

Unfortunately, this is NOT the case in Michigan.
alex-v
08-21-2006, 05:01 PM
"SabikiRig",

I take it that you are saying the vessel cannot even pass on through? If this vessel stays on the Great Lakes and connecting waters it still needs to be registered? Or, is it that it needs to be registered if the owner or owners have an address in Michigan?
limige
08-25-2006, 11:55 AM
i went on a charter in muskegon on a 35' viking. he doesn't have MC numbers but his boat is a registered yacht i believe. has his charter license ect.
SabikiRig
08-25-2006, 02:10 PM
Gentleman,

For some stupid reason Documented Boat owners in Michigan think that they DO NOT have to have their MC numbers on their boat.

All vessels REGISTERED and TITLED in Michigan require the display of registration numbers. THIS INCLUDES VESSELS DOCUMENTED WITH THE USCG.

Check out:
http://www.boat-ed.com/mi/handbook/register.htm

The way I interpret the law is that a documented vessel visiting from another state does not have to display Registration numbers unless the boat remains in Michigan water for longer than 60 days.

For visits lasting longer than 60 days the boat must be registered in the state of Michigan or at the minimum must display its registration numbers. Looks like you do in Michigan.

See what I am saying now.. And see why this CO is writing tickets. :lol:

I learned something.... I always thought documented boats do not need to display MC Numbers. Looks like you do in Michigan.!