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Vessel Documentation
Service
Vessel documentation is a national form of
registration. It is one of the oldest functions of Government,
dating back to the 11th Act of the First Congress. Documentation
provides conclusive evidence of nationality for international
purposes, provides for unhindered commerce between the states, and
admits vessels to certain restricted trades, such as coastwise trade
and the fisheries.
A vessel must measure at least five net tons and, with
the exception of certain oil spill response vessels, must be wholly
owned by a citizen of the U.S.
MUST MY VESSEL BE DOCUMENTED?
Vessels of five net tons or more used in fishing
activities on navigable waters of the U.S. or in the Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ), or used in coastwise trade must be documented
unless the vessel is exempt from documentation. Coastwise trade is
generally defined as the transportation of merchandise or passengers
between points in the U.S. or the EEZ. In addition, towboats
operating between points in the U.S. or the EEZ or between the EEZ
and points in the U.S. and dredges operating in the U.S. or the EEZ
must be documented.
Net tonnage is a measure of a vessel's
volume. It should not be confused with the vessel's
weight, which may also be expressed in tons. Most
vessels more than 25 feet in length will measure five net tons or
more.
WHAT VESSELS ARE EXEMPT?
Vessels that do not operate on the navigable waters of
the U.S. or in the fisheries in the EEZ, are exempt from the
requirement to be documented. Also exempt are Coastwise qualified,
non-self-propelled vessels used in coastwise trade within a harbor,
on the rivers or lakes (except the Great Lakes) of the U.S. or the
internal waters or canal of any state.
Yes. A Certificate of Documentation may be endorsed
for fishery, coastwise, registry, or recreation. Any documented
vessel may be used for recreational purposes, regardless of its
endorsement, but a vessel documented with a recreational endorsement
only may not be used for any other purpose. Registry endorsements
are generally used for foreign trade.
The basic requirements for documentation are to
demonstrate ownership of the vessel, U.S. citizenship, and
eligibility for the endorsement sought.
If the vessel is new and has never been documented,
ownership may be established by submission of a Builder's
Certification, naming the applicant for documentation as the person
for whom the vessel was built or to whom the vessel was first
transferred. Also acceptable are a transfer on a Manufacturer's
Certificate of Origin, a copy of the State Registration or Title, or
foreign registration showing that the applicant owns the vessel.
Individuals, corporations, partnerships, and
other entities capable of holding legal title may be deemed citizens
for documentation purposes. Corporations must be registered in a
state or the U.S; the chief executive officer and chairman of the
board of directors must be U.S. citizens, and no more than a
minority of the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum
may be non-citizens. In addition, at least 75% of the stock must be
vested in U.S. citizens for a coastwise or fisheries endorsement.
Evidence that
a vessel was built in the U.S. is required for a vessel which is to
be used in the fisheries or coastwise trade.
Documented vessels do not display their official
numbers on the outside of the hull, but are identified by the name
and hailing port. The application for documentation must include a
name for the vessel composed of letters of the Latin alphabet or
Arabic or Roman numerals and may not exceed 33 characters. The name
may not be identical, actually or phonetically, to any word or words
used to solicit assistance at sea; may not contain or be
phonetically identical to obscene, indecent, or profane language, or
to racial or ethnic epithets. Once established, a vessel's name may
not be changed without application, fees, and the consent of the
Director. There is no rule
against duplication of names for documented vessels, so hailing
ports are helpful in identifying vessels.
HOW DO I MARK MY VESSEL?
The official number assigned to documented vessels,
preceded of the abbreviation "NO." must be marked in block-type
Arabic numerals at least three inches high on some clearly
visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be
permanently affixed so that alteration, removal, or replacement
would be obvious and cause some scarring or damage to the
surrounding hull area.
The name and hailing port of a recreational vessel
must be marked together on some clearly visible exterior part of the
hull. The vessel name of a commercial vessel must also be marked on
the port and starboard bow and the vessel name and the hailing port
must also be marked on the stern.
The name and/or hailing port may be changed by filing
an application for change o with the appropriate fees.
No, all documented vessels must comply with the laws
of the state in which they are operated. The vessel's document must
be shown to state law enforcement personnel upon their
demand.
When the sale is finalized you may complete a Bill of
Sale or complete the "Sale or Transfer of Vessel" section on the
reverse of the original Certificate of Documentation.
A Certificate of Documentation is valid for one year
from the date of issue, providing there are NO CHANGES other than a
change of owner's address.
NO. An application must be filed along with a
fee. If the lost document has already expired it must be exchanged.
NO. Ownership changes require that the Certificate
be exchanged and accompanied by an application, fees and other
submissions to support the changes.
A vessel may
be deleted from documentation upon the request of the vessel owner
or an authorized agent on behalf of the owner.
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