(a) General rule.--The following classes of boats are exempt from the registration requirements of this subchapter:
(1) Foreign boats temporarily using the waters of this Commonwealth.
(2) Boats, other than boats used for recreational purposes, which are clearly identified as being:
(i) owned by the United States; and
(ii) used solely for public service functions such as search and rescue.
(3) Lifeboats on ships.
(4) Boats, other than boats used for recreational purposes, possessing a valid marine document issued by the United States Coast Guard, or any Federal successor thereto, or by any foreign government.
(5) Boats not equipped with motors.
(b) Exemptions by regulation.--The commission may, by regulation, exempt any additional boat or class of boats from the registration provisions of this subchapter under such conditions as it may prescribe.
(c) Exemption from fees.--The following boats are required to register but are exempt from the owner titling and registration fees of section 5104 (relating to fees):
(1) Motorboats owned or operated by the Commonwealth.
(2) Motorboats owned by public service organizations approved by the commission and used exclusively for training, education, water safety and other public service functions.
(3) Motorboats owned by political subdivisions and quasi-public organizations, such as police departments, volunteer fire departments and river rescue units, and used exclusively in the performance of their work in enforcement, furthering safety and search and rescue on the water.
(Dec. 12, 1991, P.L.368, No.39, eff. imd.; July 2, 1996, P.L.467, No.73)
1996 Amendment. Section 4(3) of Act 73 provided that the amendment of section 5302 shall take effect six months after the effective date of regulations promulgated under the authority of section 5325.
Cross References. Section 5302 is referred to in section 5301 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 53 - Registration and Titling of Boats
Section 5301 - Registration of motorboats required
Section 5303 - Voluntary and special registrations
Section 5305 - Application for registration
Section 5306 - Certificate of registration
Section 5307 - Dealer registration
Section 5308 - Period of registration
Section 5309 - Change of address of registrant
Section 5310 - Display of registration number
Section 5311 - Tampering with identification numbers or capacity plates
Section 5312 - Transfer, destruction or abandonment of boat
Section 5313 - Records open to public
Section 5321 - Certificate of title required
Section 5322 - When certificate of title not required
Section 5323 - Content and effect of certificate of title
Section 5324 - Refusing issuance of certificate of title
Section 5325 - Rules and regulations
Section 5326 - Offenses relating to titling
Section 5331 - Scope of subchapter
Section 5334 - Notice for boats and related equipment
Section 5335 - Notice for watercraft trailers
Section 5336 - Responsibility of commission
Section 5337 - Publication for boats and related equipment
Section 5338 - Publication for watercraft trailers