(a) The owner of each vessel requiring numbering or registration in accordance with this chapter shall file an application with the Department. The application shall be signed by the owner of the vessel and shall be accompanied by the following fees:
| For Class I vessels (less than 16′ in length) | $ 25.00 |
| For Class II vessels (16′ or over but less than 26′) | 50.00 |
| For Class III vessels (26′ or over but less than 40′) | 100.00 |
| For Class IV vessels (40′ or over but less than 65′) | 150.00 |
| For Class V vessels (65′ or more in length) | 200.00 |
(b) The owner of any motorboat already covered by a number in full force and effect which has been awarded to it pursuant to then operative federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state, territory or possession of the United States shall, upon the expiration of the 90 day reciprocity period provided for in section 295(1) of this title, file an application for a number with the Commissioner in the manner and pursuant to the procedure required for the award of a number under subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Should the ownership of a motorboat change, a new application form shall be filed with the Commissioner and a new certificate of number shall be awarded in the same manner as provided for in an original award of number, provided that no fee shall be charged for awarding a new certificate of number.
(d) In the event that an agency of the United States Government shall have in force an over-all system of identification numbering for motorboats within the United States, the numbering system employed pursuant to this chapter by the Commissioner shall be in conformity therewith.
(e) The Commissioner may award any certificate of number directly or may authorize any person to act as agent for the awarding thereof. In the event that a person accepts such authorization, he may be assigned a block of numbers and certificates therefor which, upon award in conformity with this chapter and with any rules and regulations of the Commissioner, shall be valid as if awarded directly by the Commissioner.
(f) All records of the Commissioner made or kept pursuant to this section shall be public records.
(g) Every certificate of number awarded pursuant to this chapter shall continue in full force and effect for a period of one year unless sooner terminated or discontinued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Certificates of number may be renewed by the owner in the same manner provided for in the initial securing of the same.
(h) The Commissioner shall fix a day and month of the year on which certificates of number due to expire during the calendar year shall lapse and no longer be of any force and effect unless renewed pursuant to this chapter.
(i) The owner shall furnish the Commissioner notice of the transfer of all or any part of his interest other than the creation of a security interest in a motorboat numbered in this territory pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section or of the destruction or abandonment of such motorboat, within 15 days thereof. Such transfer, destruction, or abandonment shall terminate the certificate of number for such motorboat except that, in the case of a transfer of a part interest which does not affect the owner's right to operate such motorboat, such transfer shall not terminate the certificate of number.
(j) Any holder of a certificate of number shall notify the Commissioner within 15 days, if his address no longer conforms to the address appearing on the certificate and shall, as part of such notification, furnish the Commissioner with his new address. The Commissioner may provide in his rules and regulations for the surrender of the certificate bearing the former address and its replacement with a certificate bearing the new address or for the alteration of an outstanding certificate to show the new address of the holder.
(k) No number other than the number awarded to a motorboat pursuant to this chapter shall be painted, attached, or otherwise displayed on either side of the bow of such motorboat.
(l) The Commissioner shall issue to the owner of registered vessels an identifying number and decal for visible display on the vessel and a certificate of registration of pocket size in accordance with the requirements of section 292 of this title.
(m) The Commissioner shall issue to the owners of documented vessels a decal for visible display on the vessel and a certificate of registration of pocket size in accordance with the requirements of section 292.
(n) Notwithstanding any other law, any boat owner who fails to obtain or renew a registration or certificate of number, as provided under the provisions of this section, and has not documented with the Division Environmental Enforcement Boat Registration Office of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources that their vessel will not be operated on territorial waters, will be subject to a fine of twenty dollars ($20) for each violation for each vessel not more than 15 feet in length, and fifty dollars ($50) for each violation for vessels more than 15 feet in length for each registration year missed. All vessels sold to new owners must be cleared of all fines assessed under this section.