Senate Bill 2851

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-21-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY UNDOCUMENTED VESSEL EXCEPTION FOR VESSELS DESIGNATED BY FEDERAL AGENCY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 59-21-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

59-21-5. All sailboats and every undocumented vessel equipped with propulsion machinery, whether or not such machinery is the principal source of propulsion, using the territorial and navigable waters of the State of Mississippi, and every such vessel owned in the State of Mississippi and using the high seas shall be numbered in accordance with this chapter, except:

(a) Foreign vessels temporarily using the navigable waters of the State of Mississippi;

(b) Public vessels of the United States;

(c) State and municipal vessels used solely for official business and displaying proper visual identification on its hull;

(d) Ships' lifeboats;

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(e) Undocumented vessels used exclusively for racing;

(f) Undocumented vessels operating under valid temporary certificates of number;

(g) Vessels already covered by a number in full force and effect awarded pursuant to federal law, or a federally approved numbering system of another state, provided that such vessels shall not have been within this state for a period in excess of sixty (60) days. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the numbering of any undocumented vessel upon the request of the owner.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.