Meaining of "clearly visible"?

[dasein668]

What's the opinion of the definition of "clearly visible" with respect to placement of the documentation number on the inside of a boat? Does it need to be out in the open, of can it be, say, inside a locker? Here's what the USVDC FAQ says:

The official number assigned to documented vessels, preceded of the abbreviation "NO." must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least three inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be permanently affixed so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and cause some scarring or damage to the surrounding hull area.

[Al]

The only documented boat I've ever owned had the numbers on a piece of teak epoxied to the inside of a locker. I've seen the numbers in almost all possible visible and virtually invisible locations. I have to conclude that "clearly visibile" is a term of art. (Since Heather has graduated from law school, this is the last free legal advice I'll give you.)

[CharlieJ]

On my tri I had it carved into the main mast support beam, visible inside the forward cabin.

I've seen it carved into a beam inside a lazzerette locker where all that was needed was to raise the lid.

And welded onto hull plates on steel boats.

I'd say as long as it can be easily shown to a boarding officer, you'd be good. He'd be real unhappy crawling down into the bilge to take a look - grin.

[dasein668]

Thanks all. That's basically what I thought, but figured it wouldn't hurt to get a secondary opinion.

Al, I can't get legal advice from her yet?she's graduated, but hasn't passed the bar. We wouldn't want her to get disbarred before she's barred to begin with! ;-D

[Tim]

"Cleary visible", from a practical standpoint, does not mean the number must be visible at all times. It means it shouldn't be hidden or obscured by other structural members that might make reading the number impossible. Inside a locker is fine, and it's fine to cover the numbers with gear too, as long as the numbers remain visible when the locker is emptied.

Typical locations on fiberglass boats are inside cockpit lockers, or sometimes inside a settee locker. Typical means of "permanent" installation include carved wooden boards, or stick-on numbers covered with a single layer of fiberglass. The idea is to make the numbers such that any attempt to remove them would be plainly obvious.

[Ceasar Choppy]

Typical locations on fiberglass boats are inside cockpit lockers, or sometimes inside a settee locker. Typical means of "permanent" installation include carved wooden boards, or stick-on numbers covered with a single layer of fiberglass. The idea is to make the numbers such that any attempt to remove them would be plainly obvious.

Looks like we found a use for 5200!