1. (a) New vessels that have applied for documentation may acquire a certificate of number and validation decal at any TPWD boat registration office. At the time of application, applicants must present:

   1. (1) a properly completed registration application on a form supplied by the department;

   2. (2) a copy of:

      1. (A) the current documentation from the U. S. Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center (USCGNVDC) or their website in the applicant's name; or
      2. (B) the application for initial documentation with the USCGNVDC in the applicant's name;
   3. (3) payment of any tax required under Tax Code, Chapter 160, or verification of payment; and
   4. (4) payment of the appropriate registration fee as required by Parks and Wildlife Code, §31.026, and §53.16 of this title (relating to Vessel, Motor, and Marine Licensing Fees).

2. (b) Used or previously documented vessels may acquire a certificate of number and validation decal at any TPWD boat registration office. At the time of application, applicants must present:

   1. (1) a properly completed registration application on a form supplied by the department;

   2. (2) a copy of:

      1. (A) the current documentation from the U. S. Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center (USCGNVDC) or their website in the previous owner's name, or the applicant's name; or
      2. (B) the lapsed documentation from the USCGNVDC or their website in the previous owner's name and the application for current documentation with the USCGNVDC in the applicant's name;
   3. (3) payment of any tax required under Tax Code, Chapter 160, or verification of payment; and
   4. (4) payment of the appropriate registration fee as required by Parks and Wildlife Code, §31.026, and §53.16 of this title (relating to Vessel, Motor, and Marine Licensing Fees).

3. (c) Renewal of certificate of number and validation decal for a documented vessel may be acquired at any TPWD boat registration office. At the time of application, applicants must present:

   1. (1) a properly completed registration application or renewal notice on a form supplied by the department, or a hand written request;
   2. (2) a copy of the current documentation from the U.S. Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center (USCGNVDC) or their website in the current owner's name;
   3. (3) for vessels greater than 65 feet in length for the first registration renewal, verification of payment under Tax Code, Chapter 151, or verification from the TPWD boat system; and
   4. (4) payment of the appropriate registration fee as required by §53.16 of this title (relating to Vessel, Motor, and Marine Licensing Fees).

4. (d) A vessel used as a tender for direct transportation between a mother ship and the shore is not required to display a validation decal, provided:

   1. (1) the vessel is equipped with propulsion machinery of less than 10 horsepower;
   2. (2) is owned by the owner of a vessel for which a valid certificate of number has been issued and displays the registration number of that vessel followed by the suffix "1" (i.e. TX-1234-AB-1) in the manner specified by Parks and Wildlife Code, §31.031; and
   3. (3) is used for no purpose other than direct transportation between a mother ship and the shore.

Source Note:The provisions of this §53.91 adopted to be effective February 19, 2006, 31 TexReg 851.