Chapter NR 5

NR 5.001(12m)(b) (b) Less than the maximum number of persons or the maximum allowed total weight of person, motor, gear, and other articles placed aboard as displayed on a boat’s capacity plate when taking into consideration abnormal weather or other existing operating conditions.

NR 5.001(13) (13) “Sign” is any device for carrying a message which is attached to another object such as a piling, buoy, structure or the land itself.

NR 5.001(14) (14) “State aid to navigation” is a waterway marker which is the equivalent of a U. S. coast guard aid to navigation.

NR 5.001(15) (15) “Symbols” are geometric figures such as diamond, circle, rectangle, used to convey a basic message.

NR 5.001(16) (16) “Test”, for the purposes of s. 30.52 (5) (a) 3., Stats., means an examination of a boat, boat motor or boat trailer for the specific purpose of determining the worthiness of the item conducted by a paid employee of a boat dealer or manufacturer.

NR 5.001(16a) (16a) “Throwable PFD” means a PFD that is intended to be thrown to a person in the water. A throwable PFD includes a PFD marked as Type IV or Type V with Type IV performance. Unless specifically marked otherwise, a wearable PFD is not a throwable PFD.

NR 5.001(16b) (16b) “Visual distress signal” means a device that is approved by the US Coast Guard under 46 CFR Part 160 or certified by the manufacturer under 46 CFR Parts 160 and 161.

NR 5.001(16m) (16m) “Water skis, aquaplane or similar device”, for the purposes of s. 30.69, Stats., and this chapter includes, but is not limited to, water skis, kneeboards, wakeboards, inflatable devices or barefoot or skiless skiing.

NR 5.001(17) (17) “Waterway marker” is any device designed to be placed in, on or near the water to convey an official message to a boat operator on matters which may affect health, safety, or well being, except that such devices of the United States or an agency of the United States are excluded from the meaning of this definition for all purposes except for enforcement of s. 30.68 (7), Stats.

NR 5.001(17a) (17a) “Wearable PFD” means a PFD that is intended to be worn or otherwise attached to the body. A wearable PFD includes a PFD marked as Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V with Type I, II or III performance.

NR 5.001 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1988, No. 394, eff. 11-1-88; renum. (2) to be (7), cr. (3), (4), (16), renum. NR 5.09 (1) (a) to (h), NR 5.125 (1) (a) to (d) to be NR 5.001 (17), (12), (14), (2), (13), (5), (15), (6), (8), (11), (9) and (10), Register, July, 1993, No. 451, eff. 8-1-93; cr. (7m), Register, March, 2000, No. 531, eff. 4-1-00; CR 01-007: cr. (1m), (11m) and (16m), Register November 2001 No. 551, eff. 12-1-01; CR 06-132: cr. (12g) Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 9-1-07; CR 06-133: renum. (7m) and (11m) to be (7g) and (11g), cr. (7r), (11r) and (12m) Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 9-1-07; CR 14-048: cr. (2m), (11c), (16a), (16b), (17a) Register May 2015 No. 713, eff. 6-1-15; correction in numbering (2m) (a) to (c) under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register May 2015 No. 713, eff. 6-1-15.

NR 5.01 NR 5.01 Application for boat certificate of number or registration.

NR 5.01(1) (1) An application for a certificate of number must contain the following information:

NR 5.01(1)(a) (a) Name of each owner.

NR 5.01(1)(b) (b) Address of each owner, including ZIP code.

NR 5.01(1)(c) (c) Date of birth of each owner.

NR 5.01(1)(cm) (cm) Identification information for each vessel owner who applies for a certificate of number to include any of the following:

NR 5.01(1)(cm)1. 1. Owner’s tax identification number.

NR 5.01(1)(cm)2. 2. Date of birth with driver’s license number.

NR 5.01(1)(cm)3. 3. Date of birth together with other unique number.

NR 5.01(1)(d) (d) Citizenship of the owner.

NR 5.01(1)(e) (e) State in which boat is or will be principally operated.

NR 5.01(1)(f) (f) The number previously issued by an issuing authority for the boat, if any.

NR 5.01(1)(g) (g) Whether the application is for a new number, renewal of a number, or transfer of ownership.

NR 5.01(1)(h) (h) Whether the boat is used for pleasure, rent or lease, dealer or manufacturer demonstration, commercial passenger carrying, commercial fishing, or other commercial use.

NR 5.01(1)(i) (i) Make of boat.

NR 5.01(1)(j) (j) Year boat was manufactured or model year.

NR 5.01(1)(k) (k) Manufacturer’s hull identification number, if any.

NR 5.01(1)(L) (L) Overall length of boat.

NR 5.01(1)(m) (m) Type of boat (open, cabin, house, or other).

NR 5.01(1)(n) (n) Whether the hull is wood, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, or other.

NR 5.01(1)(o) (o) Whether the propulsion is inboard, outboard, inboard-outdrive, or sail and name of engine manufacturer if available.

NR 5.01(1)(p) (p) Whether the fuel is gasoline, diesel, or other.

NR 5.01(1)(q) (q) A statement of ownership by applicant.

NR 5.01(1)(r) (r) The signature of the owner.

NR 5.01(2) (2) 

NR 5.01(2)(a) (a) An application made by a manufacturer or dealer for a number that is to be temporarily affixed to a boat for demonstration or test purposes may omit items sub. (1) (i) to (p).

NR 5.01(2)(b) (b) Any application for boat registration accepted by a boat manufacturer or boat dealer for forwarding to the department on behalf of a customer shall be forwarded to the department within 7 days of the sale along with the required forms and fees.

NR 5.01(3) (3) An application made by a person who intends to lease or rent the boat without propulsion machinery may omit items sub. (1) (o) and (p).

NR 5.01(4) (4) An application for registration of a federally documented vessel shall contain the assigned federal documentation number, the name of the vessel and the hailing port as described in the documentation papers for that vessel in addition to the information required in sub. (1).

NR 5.01(5) (5) 

NR 5.01(5)(a) (a) Free certificate of number. A person who intends to use a boat exclusively as part of an advertisement being made for the manufacturer of the boat may apply for a free certificate of number for the boat as authorized under s. 30.52 (3g), Stats.

NR 5.01(5)(b) (b) Application. A person applying for a free certificate of number under this subsection shall submit an application on the form provided by the department that contains all of the information required by the department which may include any information required under sub. (1).

NR 5.01 Note Note: A person may request a free certificate of number application form by calling [phone] or by writing to the following address: Wisconsin DNR, Bureau of Customer Service and Licensing, 101 S. Webster Street, P.O. Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707-7921.

NR 5.01(5)(c) (c) Additional information. In addition to the information required under par. (b), the application shall contain all of the following:

NR 5.01(5)(c)1. 1. The beginning and ending dates for the period the boat will be used exclusively for making the advertisement, but not to exceed a total of 15 days.

NR 5.01(5)(c)2. 2. The body of water on which the boat will be operated.

NR 5.01(5)(c)3. 3. The name of the county in which the boat will be operated.

NR 5.01(5)(d) (d) Effective period. The department shall issue a certificate of number with a suffix of TN for the boat, which shall be valid for not more than 15 consecutive days.

NR 5.01(5)(e) (e) Display of identification number and decals.

NR 5.01(5)(e)1. 1. Upon being issued a certificate of number notification and awarded an identification number and decals by the department, the person making the advertisement shall paint on or attach the identification number and decals to each side of the forward half of the boat as prescribed under s. NR 5.06.

NR 5.01(5)(e)2. 2. Notwithstanding s. NR 5.06 (2) and (3), the identification number may be attached to removable signs to be temporarily but firmly mounted upon or attached to the boat while being operated. No number other than the identification number awarded by the department under this paragraph may be painted, attached or otherwise displayed on either side of the forward half of a boat.

NR 5.01 Note Note: Section 30.52 (3g), Stats., states: (a) A boat that is present in this state and used exclusively as part of an advertisement being made for the manufacturer of the boat shall be issued a certificate of number for a period not to exceed 15 days. The department may not charge a fee for the issuance of a certificate of number under this paragraph. (b) The department shall promulgate rules for the issuance of certificates of number under par. (a).

NR 5.01 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1960, No. 51, eff. 4-1-60; renum. from WCD 5.01 to be NR 5.01, Register, March, 1971, No. 183, eff. 4-1-71; am., Register, June, 1974, No. 222, eff. 7-1-74; cr. (4), Register, April, 1985, No. 352, eff. 5-1-85; renum. (2) to be (2) (a), cr. (2) (b), Register, July, 1993, No. 451, eff. 8-1-93; CR 06-133: cr. (5) Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 9-1-07; CR 14-048: am. (1) (a) to (c), cr. (1) (cm), am. (1) (e) Register May 2015 No. 713, eff. 6-1-15.

NR 5.02 NR 5.02 Application for transfer. An application for a transfer certificate of number in addition to furnishing the information required by s. NR 5.01 shall include a statement by the applicant listing the name and address of the previous owner, his or her certificate number, and the date on which the boat was acquired by the applicant. The applicant shall also sign the statement and send the previous owner’s card to the department with the application for transfer.

NR 5.02 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1960, No. 51, eff. 4-1-60; renum. from WCD 5.02 to be NR 5.02, and am., Register, March, 1971, No. 183, eff. 4-1-71; am., Register, April, 1985, No. 352, eff. 5-1-85.

NR 5.03 NR 5.03 Application for duplicate. An applicant for a duplicate certificate of number in addition to furnishing the information required by s. NR 5.01 shall complete and sign a statement that the original certificate has been either destroyed or lost and that the application being made is for a duplicate.

NR 5.03 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1960, No. 51, eff. 4-1-60; renum. from WCD 5.03 to be NR 5.03, and am., Register, March, 1971, No. 183, eff. 4-1-71.

NR 5.04 NR 5.04 Certificate of number.

NR 5.04(1) (1) The boat certificate of number issued in accordance with s. 30.52, Stats., except as allowed in subs. (2), (3) and (4), must contain the following information:

NR 5.04(1)(a) (a) Number issued.

NR 5.04(1)(b) (b) Expiration date.

NR 5.04(1)(c) (c) State of principal operation.

NR 5.04(1)(d) (d) Name of owner.

NR 5.04(1)(e) (e) Address of owner, including ZIP code.

NR 5.04(1)(f) (f) Whether the boat is used for pleasure, rent or lease, dealer or manufacturer demonstration, commercial passenger carrying, commercial fishing or other commercial use.

NR 5.04(1)(g) (g) Manufacturer’s hull identification number (if any).

NR 5.04(1)(h) (h) Make of boat.

NR 5.04(1)(i) (i) Year boat was manufactured.

NR 5.04(1)(j) (j) Overall length of boat.

NR 5.04(1)(k) (k) Whether the boat is an open boat, cabin cruiser, houseboat, or other type.

NR 5.04(1)(L) (L) Hull material.

NR 5.04(1)(m) (m) Whether the propulsion is inboard, outboard, inboard-outdrive, or sail.

NR 5.04(1)(n) (n) Whether the fuel is gasoline, diesel, or other.

NR 5.04(1)(o) (o) A quotation of the state regulations pertaining to change of ownership or address; documentation, loss, destruction, abandonment, theft, or recovery of boat; carriage of the certificate of number on board when the boat is in use; rendering aid in a boat accident; and reporting of boat casualties and accidents.

NR 5.04(2) (2) A certificate of number issued to a boat that has a manufacturer’ hull identification number assigned, may omit items sub. (1) (h) to (n) if the manufacturer’s hull identification number is plainly marked on the certificate.

NR 5.04(3) (3) A certificate of number issued to a manufacturer or dealer to be used on a boat for test or demonstration purposes may omit items sub. (1) (g) to (n) if the word “manufacturer” or “dealer” is plainly marked on the certificate.

NR 5.04(4) (4) A certificate of number issued to a boat that is to be rented or leased without propulsion machinery may omit items sub. (1) (m) and (n) if the words “livery boat” are plainly marked on the certificate.

NR 5.04 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1960, No. 51, eff. 4-1-60; renum. from WCD 5.04 to be NR 5.04, Register, March, 1971, No. 183, eff. 4-1-71; am., Register, June, 1974, No. 222, 7-1-74; CR 14-048: am. (1) (c) Register May 2015 No. 713, eff. 6-1-15.

NR 5.05 NR 5.05 Numbering pattern to be used. The boat certificate of number issued pursuant to s. 30.52, Stats., shall be in accordance with the pattern described as follows:

NR 5.05(1) (1) The number shall be divided into parts. The first part of the number shall be an abbreviation in capital letters of the state of Wisconsin. This abbreviation shall be WS. The remainder of the number shall consist of not more nor less than 4 arabic numerals and 2 capital letters.

NR 5.05(2) (2) The group of numerals appearing between the abbreviation and the 2 letters shall be separated therefrom by hyphens or equivalent spaces as indicated by the following samples: WS-9999-AB, WS 9999 AB.

NR 5.05(3) (3) Since the letters “I”, “O”, and “Q” may be mistaken for arabic numerals, all letter sequences using “I”, “O”, and “Q” shall be omitted.

NR 5.05 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1960, No. 51, eff. 4-1-60; am. (2), Register, March, 1966, No. 123, eff. 4-1-66; renum. from WCD 5.05 to be NR 5.05, Register, March, 1971, No. 183, eff. 4-1-71.

NR 5.06 NR 5.06 Display of numbers or decals on boats.

NR 5.06(1) (1) The assigned number shall be painted on, or attached to, each side of the forward half of the boat for which it was issued. The numbers shall be placed on the hull of the boat in such position as to provide clear legibility for identification. The numbers shall read from left to right and shall be in block characters of good proportion not less than 3 inches in height and shall be spaced as provided in s. NR 5.05 (2). The numbers shall be of a color which will contrast with the color of the background and so maintained as to be clearly visible and legible; i.e., dark numbers on a light background, or light numbers on a dark background.

NR 5.06(2) (2) Upon being issued a certificate of number card and certification decals, the owner of the boat shall permanently affix and display the decals on each side of the vessel, 3 inches aft (to the rear) of and directly in line with the numbers.

NR 5.06(3) (3) Upon being issued a registration card and registration decals, the owner shall permanently affix and display the registration decals on the transom (back of the boat) of the boat on each side of the federally documented name of the vessel in a manner so both decals are visible. If the federally documented name is displayed on the sides of the hull, the registration decals may be displayed 3 inches aft (to the rear) of and directly in line with the name.

NR 5.06(4) (4) No person may display on either side of the forward half of any numbered boat any number other than the registration number issued for the boat.