It seems a local yachtsman was runing around the harbor in a skiff when he was stopped by the Coast Guard & cited for no state numbers & no life jacket.
The skipper took it to court & WON.  Undoubtably cost him more than the fines but here goes:  The stern of the skiff had the name of his larger yacht.  As the lifeboat of a documented vessel, was exempt from numbering requirements.  As the licensed captain of that documented vessel under admirality law he is not required to carry a life jacket for himself because he is entitled to go down with his ship!

The larger vessel was indeed ocean going, for any sailors out there, the yawl had done the Bermuda race more than once.  
There, this is your smile for the day.
skb