[§200-72]  Defacing, etc., vessel hullidentification numbers.  No person shall wilfully deface, destroy, remove,or alter the vessel hull identification number which is carved, burned,stamped, embossed, or otherwise permanently affixed to the hull of a vessel bythe manufacturer, or by the owner in the case of restoration, for the purposeof identifying the hull.  This section does not prohibit the restoration by anowner of an original number when the restoration is authorized by thedepartment, nor prevent any manufacturer from placing in the ordinary course ofbusiness, numbers or marks upon new hulls. [L 1991, c 272, pt of §2]