No person shall possess a vessel or hull, knowing that the vessel hull identification number, placed on the same by the manufacturer or the owner for the purpose of identification, has been changed, altered, erased, or mutilated for the purpose of changing the identity of the vessel or hull thereof. Any vessel or hull from which the vessel hull identification number carved, burned, stamped, embossed, or otherwise permanently affixed to the hull by the manufacturer or by the owner, has been removed, defaced, or altered shall be caused by the chairperson to be taken into custody and, if not identified, disposed of pursuant to part III. If identified, the chairperson shall:
HRS § 200-73