§ 2253. Certificates of registration, registration numbers, and
validating stickers. 1. Issuance. Upon the approval of an application
for registration and payment of the fee as provided in this article, the
commissioner shall assign to a vessel a registration number, and,
without further expense to the applicant, issue a certificate of
registration and, effective April first, nineteen hundred eighty-six, a
validating sticker or stickers, in such manner and form as the
commissioner shall prescribe.

2. Certificate of registration. The certificate of registration issued
by the commissioner shall be available at all times for inspection on
the vessel for which it is issued whenever such vessel is in operation,
unless otherwise provided by a rule or regulation of the commissioner.
Every person operating a vessel shall, upon demand of any peace officer,
federal officer or other person having the authority to enforce the
provisions of this chapter, produce the certificate of registration for
inspection. The failure to produce the certificate of registration, as
provided herein, shall not be an offense, but shall be presumptive
evidence of operating a vessel which is not registered as required by
this article.

3. Registration number. A registration number once assigned under this
section shall remain with the vessel until the vessel is destroyed,
abandoned or permanently removed from the state, or until changed or
terminated by the commissioner. The registration number assigned to the
vessel shall be painted on or attached to each side of the forward half
of the vessel by the owner in such a position as to be displayed in a
conspicuous manner with figures and letters at least three inches in
height. The registration number shall be maintained in a legible
condition so that the figures and letters are readily discernible during
daylight hours at a distance of one hundred feet. No other number shall
be carried on the forward half of such vessel. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this subdivision, a vessel having a valid marine
document issued by the United States or a foreign government shall not
be required to display its assigned registration number on the vessel.

4. Validating stickers. Effective April first, nineteen hundred
eighty-six, at the time of the original registration and at the time of
each renewal thereof, the commissioner shall also issue to said
registrant a validating sticker or stickers indicating the validity of
the current registration and the expiration date thereof, which
validating sticker or stickers shall be affixed to the vessel in such
manner as the commissioner may prescribe provided, however, that where
the hull of a vessel equipped with a windshield is constructed of wood,
such validating sticker or stickers may be affixed to the windshield of
the vessel. From that time and notwithstanding the fact that a vessel
has been assigned a registration number, it shall not be considered as
validly registered within the meaning of this article unless a
validating sticker and current registration certificate have been
issued. In addition, the commissioner may issue a validating sticker or
stickers to the holder of a certificate of registration issued prior to
April first, nineteen hundred eighty-six, without further expense to the
holder, indicating the validity of the current registration and the
expiration date thereof, which validating sticker or stickers shall be
affixed to the vessel in such a manner as the commissioner may
prescribe. The commissioner shall establish by regulation such terms and
conditions as may be necessary to accomplish the issuance of such
validating sticker or stickers and the date upon which their issuance
shall be completed. From thirty days after such date and notwithstanding
the fact that a vessel has been assigned a registration number and has a
current certificate of registration, it shall not be considered as
validly registered within the meaning of this article unless a
validating sticker or stickers is displayed on the vessel.