2024 Watercraft Regulations - 4

2 0 24 WATERCRAFT REGULATIONS
Watercraft are divided into four (4) class lengths as follows:
I. CLASS A: Less than sixteen (16) feet in length.
II. CLASS B: Sixteen (16) feet or over and less than twenty six (26)
feet in length.
III. CLASS C: Twenty six (26) feet or over and less than forty (40)
feet in length.
IV. CLASS D: Forty (40) feet or over.
PROOF OF OWNERSHIP FOR NEW REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
OF OWNERSHIP
Before a watercraft can be registered in Wyoming, proof of ownership
shall be provided. The following will be accepted as proof of ownership
for registration:
* A copy of or the original certificate of title issued in the name of the
applicant(s) with the correct Hull Identification Number (HIN). The correct
HIN will need to be verified if any of the following situations exist:
* The ownership transfers and the watercraft HIN appears to be incorrect
or there is no HIN number associated with the watercraft, or;
* The registration is not renewal to the state of Wyoming and the owner
cannot produce a current or the immediately preceding year's registration
from another state.
* HIN inspections shall be conducted by Department law enforcement
personnel or any Wyoming peace officer.
* A certificate of title from another state. A watercraft that has been
titled in another state can be registered in Wyoming with a copy of
the certificate of title from the other state. The certificate of title shall
be in the same name(s) as the person(s) applying for the registration
in Wyoming, as evidenced by the certificate of title.
Proof of ownership for homemade watercraft shall consist of a photocopy
of a notarized affidavit by the builder indicating the date construction
was completed and a properly executed certificate of title. Builders
of homemade watercraft may receive hull numbering information from
the Wyoming Game and Fish Department Regional Offices.
RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER/REGISTRATION
Watercraft can be registered for a one (1) year period or a three (3) year
period. Normally, you will receive a notice by mail to renew your registration
for another calendar year, verify the information and make any
corrections where necessary (i.e. change in address, change in propulsion
machinery of any type, etc.). Whether you are notified or not, you
are responsible for renewing the registration for your watercraft. The
certificate of number assigned to your watercraft remains the same if
you renew it continuously. Please be advised, if you allow five (5) or
more years to pass without renewing your certificate of number registration,
the number assigned to your watercraft shall be dropped
from the Department's files and shall be reissued to another party.
PLACEMENT OF NUMBER AND REGISTRATION DECAL ON
WATERCRAFT
Refer to Chapter 22, Section 4. See page 10.
The registration number issued to your watercraft appears on your registration
certificate. Sign your registration and keep it on board your
watercraft when you use it. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department
only assigns the watercraft number and the applicant is responsible for
purchasing and attaching the number to the watercraft. The letters and
numerals shall be a minimum of three (3) inches high, of a block character,
and contrast with the background. They may be painted on or
attached to the watercraft. They shall read from left to right and shall
always be legible.
Upon receipt of your new watercraft registration, if the number assigned
is different than the number presently on the watercraft, remove the
old watercraft number and replace the number with the newly assigned
Wyoming watercraft number.
When you place your number on your watercraft, leave a space or provide
a hyphen between the WY and the assigned number. Leave another
space or hyphen between the number and the letters that follow.
Decals indicating year of registration expiration shall be displayed on
each side of the watercraft behind and directly in line with the number
of the watercraft.
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The year on the decal will indicate the year of expiration. For a three (3)
year registration processed in 2024, the decal will have " 26. "
Only the proper decal shall be visible. Either remove the incorrect decal
or place the proper decal directly over the expired decal displayed on
the watercraft.
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PROGRAM INSPECTION INFORMATION
It is unlawful to launch any watercraft without first complying with aquatic
invasive species prevention requirements. Any person transporting
any watercraft into the state by land from March 1 through November 30
shall have the watercraft inspected by an authorized inspector prior to
launching. Any person transporting any watercraft that within the past
thirty (30) days has been in contact with a water known or suspected
to contain zebra or quagga mussels in any state or province, shall have
the watercraft inspected by an authorized inspector prior to launching
regardless of time of year. All persons transporting a motorized or
non-motorized watercraft shall stop at mandatory aquatic invasive species
check stations that are established on their route of travel. As part
of all inspections, all compartments, equipment and containers that may
hold water, including, but not limited to, live wells, ballast and bilge areas
shall be completely drained as directed by authorized inspectors. Any
person who refuses to permit inspection of their watercraft or refuses to
complete any required removal and disposal of aquatic invasive species
shall be prohibited from launching their watercraft.
DRAINING AND TRANSPORTING WATERCRAFT
Immediately upon removing a watercraft from any waters of this state,
the operator shall remove all visible vegetation from the watercraft and
trailer and drain all water from the watercraft including, but not limited
to, water in the hull, ballast tanks, bilges, live wells and motors. All bilge,
ballast, and live well plugs and other barriers that prevent water drainage
from a watercraft shall be removed or remain open while a watercraft
is transported by land within the state.
DECAL PLACEMENT INFORMATION
All owners or operators of motorized watercraft registered outside of
Wyoming, any owners or operators of Wyoming registered watercraft
that have not paid the aquatic invasive species program fee as part of
their watercraft registration fee and all owners or operators of non-motorized
watercraft shall purchase and display an Aquatic Invasive Species
Program Decal valid for the current calendar year on their watercraft
prior to contacting or entering any water of the state. All non-motorized
inflatable watercraft ten (10) feet in length or less, all solid and inflatable
paddle boards regardless of length and all devices defined as water
sport toys are exempt from this decal provision.
Aquatic Invasive Species Program Decals shall be sold through the Electronic
Licensing System (ELS), designated license selling agents and authorized
personnel. The price of the decal shall be ten dollars ($10) for
motorized watercraft registered in Wyoming and thirty dollars ($30) for
motorized watercraft registered outside of Wyoming. The price of the
decal shall be five dollars ($5) for non-motorized watercraft owned by a
Wyoming resident and fifteen dollars ($15) for non-motorized watercraft
owned by a nonresident.
Owners and operators of motorized watercraft required to purchase an
Aquatic Invasive Species Program Decal shall display the decal on the
starboard (right) side of the bow six (6) inches left of and directly in line
with the watercraft registration decal. Non-motorized watercraft owners
or operators shall display the decal on the bow in such a manner that
the decal shall be visible when the watercraft is underway.
Only the Aquatic Invasive Species Program Decal which is currently valid
shall be displayed.
PECKING ORDER
1. VESSEL NOT UNDER COMMAND
2. VESSEL RESTRICTED BY ABILITY TO MANEUVER
3. FISHING VESSEL
4. SAILING VESSEL
5. POWER DRIVEN VESSEL
2024 Watercraft Regulations

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2024 Watercraft Regulations
