MEP Registration Glossary

Glossary of MEP registration terms

Glossary

A
 
Alien: A customer who is not a citizen of the United States.
 
ATV: Any motor vehicle designed or modified for use over unimproved terrain if used for recreation or pleasure off a public way, and all legally registered motor vehicles when used off a way.  Also known as an Off Highway Vehicle (OHV)
 
B

BOAT: A waterborne vehicle smaller than a ship.

BOW: The forward part of a boat.
 
C
 
Coastal Waters: All waters of The Commonwealth within the rise and fall of the tide and the marine limits of the jurisdiction of The Commonwealth, but not waters within or above any fishway or dam nor waters above any tidal bound established by the Department Of Environmental Protection in streams flowing into the sea.

Co-Owner/Co-Tenancy: When a boat is listed in the names of two or more persons as co-owners the boat is deemed to be owned and held in “Co-tenancy”, i.e. each with an undivided and equal interest. Legally, one of the Co-owners cannot dispose of the boat without authorization & signatures of all of the other Co-owners.

D
 
Dealer: A person, firm, corporation or entity engaged in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging motorboats, recreation vehicles and snowmobiles.
 

H
 
Hull: The section of the boat that is in the water but below the main deck level.
 
I
 
Inland Waters: All waters within the jurisdiction of The Commonwealth other than coastal waters.

Inboard Engine: A motor fitted inside a boat.
 
J
 
Joint Owner/Joint Tenancy: When a boat is listed as owned by two or more persons in joint tenancy, any one of the several owners has the legal right to dispose of the title and interest in the boat. In other words, the owners need not give written authorization or consent.
 
L
 
Length:  Fore-and-after measurement of a vessel.
 
 
Lienholder: A financial institution, business, or individual with a security interest in a vessel.
 
Livery Boat: A boat hired or available for hire from a person who offers boats for hire as a regular business.
 
M
 
Manufacturer: Any person, firm, corporation or entity engaged in the business of manufacturing new motorboats for the purpose of sale or trade.
 
Municipalities: A political unit such as a City or Town that is incorporated for local self-government.
 
 
Motorboat: A vessel, not more than 65 feet in length and propelled by machinery including electric motors, whether or not such machinery is the principal source of propulsion.
 
O
 
Owner: The person who claims lawful possession of a vessel or vehicle by virtue of legal title or equitable interest therein, which entitles him to possession.

Off Highway Vehicle (OHV): Any motor vehicle designed or modified for use over unimproved terrain if used for recreation or pleasure off a public way, and all legally registered motor vehicles when used off a way.

Outboard Engine: A detachable engine mounted on a boat's stern.
 
P
 
Personal watercraft: A vessel propelled by a water jet pump or other machinery as its primary source of motor propulsion, which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on the vessel.
 
Port: The left side of the boat looking forward.
 
R
 
Recreation Vehicle: Any motor vehicle designed or modified for use over unimproved terrain if used for recreation or pleasure off a public way.
 
S
 
Sailboat: Any vessel propelled by sail alone.
 

Snowmobile: A motor vehicle designed to ravel over ice or snow supported in whole or in part by skis, belts, or cleats.
 

Starboard: The right side of the boat looking forward.

Stern: The after part of the boat.
 
 
T
  
Transom: a surface forming the stern of a motorboat.

U

Underway: Vessel in motion, i.e., when not moored, at anchor, or aground.
 

V
 
Vessel: Watercraft of every description, except a seaplane on the water used or capable of being used as means of transportation on water.