46 USC § 12305 - Displaying numbers

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s12305"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 12305 - Displaying numbers"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "12305"
section_name: "Displaying numbers"
chapter_number: 123
chapter_name: "NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS"
part_number: "H"
part_name: "Identification of Vessels"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 591.)"
---


# § 12305. Displaying numbers

A number required by this chapter shall be painted on, or attached to, each side of the forward half of the vessel for which it was issued, and shall be the size, color, and type as may be prescribed by the Secretary. No other number may be carried on the forward half of the vessel.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 591.)

| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| --- | --- |
| 12305 | 46:1470 |

Section 12305 describes the manner in which a number must be displayed on a vessel, and prohibits the display of other numbers on the forward half of the vessel.