16Distinguishing marks for fishing vessels

16 Distinguishing marks for fishing vessels

(1)  A person may apply to the Secretary for the allocation of a vessel distinguishing mark in respect of a fishing vessel.

(2)  On receipt of an application under subrule (1) or on the Secretary’s own initiative, the Secretary is to –

(a) allocate a distinguishing mark in respect of a fishing vessel; and

(b) if the distinguishing mark is allocated as a result of an application under subrule (1) , advise the applicant of that mark; and

(c) if the distinguishing mark is allocated on the Secretary’s own initiative, advise the owner of the fishing vessel of that mark.

(3)  The Secretary is not to allocate a distinguishing mark to a vessel if that mark has previously been allocated to another vessel.

(4)  A distinguishing mark –

(a) consists of any combination of letters, or letters and numerals, the Secretary determines; and

(b) subject to subrule (5) , is to be painted or displayed –

(i) in the case of a distinguishing mark painted or displayed on the side of the hull of a vessel – in white characters on a dark background, or in dark characters on a white background, with characters of not less than 150 millimetres high, not less than 25 millimetres wide; and

(ii) in the case of a distinguishing mark painted or displayed on a wheelhouse or deck of a vessel – in black characters on an orange background surrounded by a black border, with characters of not less than 900 millimetres high, not less than 75 millimetres wide and spaced 100 millimetres apart; and

(c) in the case of a distinguishing mark painted or displayed on a wheelhouse or deck of a vessel, is to be painted or displayed from port to starboard, and from forward to aft, of the boat; and

(d) is to be kept unobscured and is to be maintained in a clean condition while the fishing vessel, in respect of which the distinguishing mark is allocated, is specified in a fishing licence (vessel).