Dinghy Registration Required?

[carstenb]

Hi all,

Some friends of mine are sailing in the US. They were stopped by the Florida police when in their dinghy. Got a fine for missing nav lights.

So be it - gotta have nav lights. But, the police also issued them a warning about the dinghy not being registered.

Denmark does not require dinghy registration. So this regulation is something Danish boats are simply unable to meet.

Since the boat is Danish - I would suspect that the Florida police can't enforce this. Foreign ships/boats are subject to their home country regulations as regards registration etc.

Does anyone know what the international regulations are?

When we sailed in the US our dinghy is clearly marked T/T Capri and she flies a small Danish flag at the stern, signifying that she is a foreign flagged vessel

[skipperpete]

It depends on how big and how fast the dinghy is, at least thats the case here in Australia.

[GordMay]

“All motorized vessels operating on Florida’s public waterways must be titled and registered. Chapter 328, Florida Statutes, designates that FLHSMV is responsible for issuing vessel registrations and titles ...
...EXCEPTIONS:
... Vessels from a country other than the United States temporarily used, operated or stored on the waters of this state for a period that is not more than 90 days ...”

“Vessel Titling and Registrations” ~ Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
➥ https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicle...registrations/

[CaptTom]

Local LE often only know about laws which apply to locals. On the other hand, getting into an argument with them isn't usually productive. Far better to smile and say "yes sir" or "yes m'am" and leave it at that.

Dinghy lighting is like speeding. Easy for the LE folks to enforce. Far safer and easier than going after more serious offences. I'll stop there.

[Lee Jerry]

Originally Posted by carstenb

Hi all,

Some friends of mine are sailing in the US. They were stopped by the Florida police when in their dinghy. Got a fine for missing nav lights.

So be it - gotta have nav lights.

I realize this thread is asking about registration, but this caught my eye.

Were they operating at night without lights or was this during the day? If the latter, I highly question the validity of the ticket. I think they should appeal (if during the day).

There is no requirement to "have" lights, there are requirements to "display" lights after dark. At least in the ColRegs, perhaps FL law is different but I doubt it.

Rule 20(b), same for international and inland: "(b) The Rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise, ..." Part (c) also talks about using in restricted visibility (but not necessarily required).

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by carstenb

Hi all,

Some friends of mine are sailing in the US. They were stopped by the Florida police when in their dinghy. Got a fine for missing nav lights.

So be it - gotta have nav lights. But, the police also issued them a warning about the dinghy not being registered.

Denmark does not require dinghy registration. So this regulation is something Danish boats are simply unable to meet.

Since the boat is Danish - I would suspect that the Florida police can't enforce this. Foreign ships/boats are subject to their home country regulations as regards registration etc.

Does anyone know what the international regulations are?

When we sailed in the US our dinghy is clearly marked T/T Capri and she flies a small Danish flag at the stern, signifying that she is a foreign flagged vessel

I have always found best to upload on my mobile local regulations in good time before any possible encounter with ignorant officials. Like during Covid restrictions when most border crossings were prohibited but there was like a hundred excemptions.. Such as in your case the link in GordMay's post about 90days excemption on foreign flagged vessels.

[Love2 boat]

I can only speak for NJ. My dinghy is not registered or titled but I will add my USCG Numbers to the dinghy for identification in case it is lost only.



What boats do not require registration in New Jersey?The following boats are not required to be registered in New Jersey:• Those not based in New Jersey or operating for less than 180 consecutive days.• Foreign vessels• U.S. public vessels• Ship's lifeboats• Non-motorized vessels used exclusively on small lakes and ponds on private property.• Racing vessels with New Jersey State Marine Police permit.• Non-motorized inflatable devices, surfboards, racing shells, dinghies, canoes and kayaks.• Non-motorized vessels less than 12 feet in length.• Tender/dinghy used solely for direct transportation between a vessel and shore.

[JimsCAL]

In many US states if it has a motor, it needs to be registered. A number of years ago, the LEOs in Rhode Island were issuing tickets for unregistered dinghys and the courts were requiring the offenders to show up in person in court. No just mailing in a check. A real pain for an out of state cruiser that got nailed. I registered my dinghy right after I heard that.

[bgallinger]

Florida is quite strict about licencing and the police do know that many states or countries do not register dinghies (Like Canada). Regardless, you are not required to have a florida registration unless you are there for 90+ days.

[Tsuru]

The marine enforcement authorities in Florida are not ignorant. They probably don’t know the registrations rules for every nation in the world, because they don’t need to. They are bound to enforce the laws and rules in Florida. That said, if you explain your situation it’s been my experience that they will work with you as best they can. In your case they issued a warning.
I’d talk with the marine police (or whatever they are called in Florida) or call the Florida boat registration group and ask for advice. It has also been my experience that they are helpful.

[Chotu]

The warning is because they know they can’t do anything about that since your friends are not from the United States.

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by Tsuru

The marine enforcement authorities in Florida are not ignorant. They probably don’t know the registrations rules for every nation in the world, because they don’t need to. They are bound to enforce the laws and rules in Florida. That said, if you explain your situation it’s been my experience that they will work with you as best they can. In your case they issued a warning.
I’d talk with the marine police (or whatever they are called in Florida) or call the Florida boat registration group and ask for advice. It has also been my experience that they are helpful.

They are ignorant even about Florida rules (which states 90days for foreign registered vessels) thus overstepping their authority.. Always make a presumption officials are dumb until else is proven.. Which makes you need the expertice to study the local regs as they usually don't..

[Chotu]

local water cops can be pretty frustrating actually.

I got a ticket in my dinghy before. it was during covid.

I had sent my paperwork to the state for registration, they were basically closed for months. There was no paperwork getting done. So I was on the waiting list to get my registration back.

I was in some state that I’m not going to mention.

I had this moment where my old Outboard was about to die. It would only run wide open. I was pretty close to the town dock. The outboard started sputtering and dying, so I gave it some throttle to get it going. That caught the attention of the water cops.

They came over and went to give me some fines.

I got the fine for unregistered dinghy and there was no listening to the fact that I couldn’t get the registration because it was Covid.

then, I got a ticket for not having a whistle. I had two cell phones, a VHF, and a handheld GPS in the dinghy. Believe it or not. Proper lifejackets. Everything you would ever need to survive in a dinghy. Wasn’t good enough. Had to have a little whistle to blow. Mind-boggling.

Then I proceeded on my way, and just like someone was mentioning above about Rhode Island, it was appear in court only. I was really far away. I had to hire a lawyer to go to court for me. It was ridiculous.

[GordMay]

Chotu: How are cell phones, a VHF, and a handheld GPS "Sound Signalling Devices"?

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Chotu: How are cell phones, a VHF, and a handheld GPS "Sound Signalling Devices"?

If your throat is in working order or you can whistle loud? Besides that in most juristictions the smallest of vessels don't need every bit of equipment mentioned in the rules.