The Florida Senate

328.46  Operation of registered vessels.--

(1)  Every vessel that is required to be registered and that is being operated, used, or stored on the waters of this state shall be registered and numbered within 30 days after purchase by the owner except as specifically exempt. During this 30-day period, the operator is required to have aboard the vessel and available for inspection a bill of sale. The bill of sale for the vessel shall serve as the temporary certificate of number that is required by federal law and must contain the following information:

(a)  Make of the vessel.

(b)  Length of the vessel.

(c)  Type of propulsion.

(d)  Hull identification number.

(e)  A statement declaring Florida to be the state where the vessel is principally used.

(f)  Name of the purchaser.

(g)  Address of the purchaser, including ZIP code.

(h)  Signature of the purchaser.

(i)  Name of the seller.

(j)  Signature of the seller.

(k)  Date of the sale of the vessel. The date of sale shall also serve as the date of issuance of the temporary certificate of number.

(l)  Notice to the purchaser and operator that the temporary authority to use the vessel on the waters of this state is invalid after 30 days following the date of sale of the vessel.

(2)  No person shall operate, use, or store or give permission for the operation, use, or storage of any such vessel on such waters unless:

(a)  Such vessel is registered within 30 days after purchase by the owner and numbered with the identifying number set forth in the certificate of registration, displayed:

1.  In accordance with s. 328.48(4), except, if the vessel is an airboat, the registration number may be displayed on each side of the rudder; or

2.  In accordance with 33 C.F.R. s. 173.27, or with a federally approved numbering system of another state; and

(b)  The certificate of registration or temporary certificate of number awarded to such vessel is in full force and effect.

History.--s. 1, ch. 59-399; s. 1, ch. 65-361; s. 1, ch. 74-62; s. 3, ch. 74-327; s. 3, ch. 81-100; s. 1, ch. 83-102; s. 4, ch. 84-184; s. 49, ch. 95-333; s. 54, ch. 96-413; s. 10, ch. 99-289; s. 22, ch. 2009-86.

Note.--Former s. 371.041; s. 327.10.