Boat Registration Numbers
Your boat is allocated registration symbols or numbers, these must be clearly visible in plain characters in contrasting colours to the hull colour of your boat. The size of the symbols depends on the type of boat however, they must be able to be read from a distance of 30m.
The Queensland Recreational Boating & Fishing Guide (2015-2016 Edition) advises that vessels capable of planing must have symbols a minimum of 200mm high on both sides.
This is incorrect! – The QLD Recreational Boating & Fishing Guides is being updated and a new publication will be issued in Aug 2016.
The most recent advice from Maritime Safety Queensland is as follows;
Registration numbers and labels
Once registered, you will get registration numbers allocated to your boat and a registration label.
You must display registration numbers so they can be read from 30m away and in a contrasting colour to the hull of the boat. The size of the registration numbers depends on the type of boat:
- Ships capable of planing—at least 150mm high on both sides.
- Ships not capable of planing—at least 75mm high on both sides or the stern.
- PWCs— must be at least l00mm high and on both sides.
The registration label must be displayed:
- on the outside of the boat
- above the waterline
- near the registration numbers.
If the registration numbers are displayed on the side of the boat or PWC the registration label should be displayed on the left (port) side.