Identification of vessels

Every vessel shall be permanently and conspicuously marked to the satisfaction of the Harbour Master, that is to say– (a) her name shall be distinctly marked on each of her bows, and the place she belongs to on her bows stern, on a dark ground in white or yellow letters or on a white ground with black Harbours and Merchant Shipping 39 letters of a length not less than 3" and of proportionate breadth; (b) her name shown on her sea-going certificate or coastal register of the port shall be the vessel’s name, and she shall not be described by any other name; (c) her name shall not be the same as that borne by any other vessel having a sea-going certificate, and the vessel’s name shall not be changed without the permission in writing of the Harbour Master. If, in any case, the name of a vessel has been changed without such permission the Harbour Master may direct that her name be altered to that which she bore before such change and in such case the name shall be altered on her bows accordingly.