We can't know if it was the customer or the "sign guy" who elected to use black for the shadow instead of the obvious logical choice of gray, but the thick & extremely thin strokes of the font choice also contribute to what looks like a "Kill the Legibility" contest.
Also, Port names are generally and traditionally placed on the transom only, not both sides of the boat, and yes, the vinyl was just layered instead of creating a separate shadow.
The stupid................it burns!