306.031.  New or replacement identification number of motor or vessel — securing of number — penalty. — 1.  If an original, manufacturer's, or other distinguishing number on any outboard motor or vessel has been destroyed, removed, covered, altered, defaced or is otherwise nonexistent, the director of revenue, upon application, payment of seven dollars and fifty cents, proper inspection, and satisfactory proof of ownership by the owner, shall issue a new or replacement identification number plate to be affixed to the outboard motor or vessel.  The number plate shall be in the form prescribed by the director of revenue.

  2.  The owner or the owner's designee shall securely fasten the identification number plate immediately to the outside of the outboard motor or vessel close to the area where the original or manufacturer's identification number plate would typically be.  After the identification number plate has been secured to the outboard motor or vessel as required, such number shall be the lawful number of the outboard motor or vessel for the purpose of identification and registration.  No person shall destroy, remove, cover, alter or deface such number.  Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.