USCG Documentation

, Safety, Upgrade

When we got our boat, it was already documented with the USCG. Since we had already planned to document any boat we got, that saved us a step. We did have to register the change of ownership and the change to the boat name. As part of that process, I was able to find a partial history of the boat’s owners and names. We now know that she is on at least the 4th owner and 3rd name.

With it documented, we do not have to have the California “CA” number on the side. But there are other regulations pertaining to the marking of the boat.

Name and hailing port

Based on the USCG info in the FAQ below, we chose to put the new name and hailing port on the transom. We also put the name on the sides near the stern. We purchased our boat graphics from Boat US.

Documentation number

When a boat is documented, the “official number” you get from the USCG has to be permanently affixed to the boat someplace visible. I turns out that the previous owner(s) did not know that, so before we could pass an inspection, we had to mark the boat.

The USCG is not very clear about their definition of the term “visible” (see FAQs below). In most small sailboats, there is not a visible part of the hull structure that can be seen without opening the right compartment. I read a lot of different interpretations that ranged from hanging an engraved plaque to glassing the number into the bilge.

In the end, we decided to put the number on the inside of the hull, in the compartment behind the port settee. We used 3″ high, stick-on, vinyl letters from West Marine, and covered them with a layer of clear epoxy. I masked the edges with painter’s tape to make a nice clean border, and it turned out pretty well.

USCG official number placement

It is easy to unsnap the back cushion to see the number, and removing it would definitely cause noticeable damage to hull. So I think we meet the spirit of the regulations. During our USCG Auxiliary safety inspection, I showed them the number, and we passed, so I’ll take that as confirmation that we are OK.

USCG FAQs

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, National Vessel Documentation Center. There is no rule against duplication of names for documented vessels, so hailing ports are helpful in identifying vessels.

The official number assigned to documented vessels, preceded by 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. All markings may be made by any means and materials that result in durable markings and must be at least four inches in height, made in clearly legible letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals. The “hailing port” must include both a place and a State, Territory, or possession of in the United States. The state may be abbreviated.

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