Where an inland 1 [mechanically propelled vessel] has been registered under this Chapter, the registering authority shall assign to the vessel, to be displayed thereon conspicuously in the prescribed manner, a distinguishing mark, hereinafter in this Act referred to as the registration mark.
19-I. Prohibition against transfer of certificate of registration.—(1) A certificate of registration granted in respect of any inland 1 [mechanically propelled vessel] shall be used only for the lawful navigation of that vessel.
(2) A certificate of registration in respect of an inland 1 [mechanically propelled vessel] issued by a registering authority in one State shall be valid for that State only, but where any such vessel plies in 2 [inland waters of any other State], nothing in this section shall be deemed to require the owner or master of the vessel to obtain a fresh certificate of registration in relation to the State or States in which the vessel is not so registered:
3 * * * * 4 [(3) When an inland mechanically propelled vessel registered in one State has been kept in another State for a period exceeding 5 [thirty-six months], the owner or master of the vessel shall make an application under section 19K to The registering authority, within whose jurisdiction the vessel then is, for the transfer of registry from the registering authority of the place where the vessel is registered.]