Opinion No. (1985)

Dear Mr. Rice:

This opinion is in response to your question asking:

Is it lawful for a member of the Missouri State Water Patrol to stop a vessel on the waters of this state for the purpose of checking proper registration and safety equipment as required by Chapter 306, RSMo, without "probable cause"?

I

Statutory Authority

Section 306.015, RSMo Supp. 1985 (effective April 1, 1986), requires the owners of "vessels", as defined in Section306.010(5), RSMo Supp. 1984, kept, acquired, or brought into this state to cause them to be registered with the Missouri Department of Revenue, which issues…