---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 12305"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "12305"
heading: "Displaying numbers"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/12305"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part H — Identification of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 123 — Numbering Undocumented Vessels"
---

# §12305. Displaying numbers


A number required by this chapter shall be painted on, or attached to, each side of the forward half of the vessel for which it was issued, and shall be the size, color, and type as may be prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46). No other number may be carried on the forward half of the vessel.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 591.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 12305 | 46:1470 |

Section 12305 describes the manner in which a number must be displayed on a vessel, and prohibits the display of other numbers on the forward half of the vessel.