The jargon of vessel documentation isn’t easy to parse. With all of those different terms being thrown around, it can be confusing to follow even if you’ve been around boats and the water for decades. What can make it all the more confusing is when terms like “46 CFR Part 67” is thrown around, too. You’ve probably seen phrases like that before and been unsure of what they mean. In this blog, we’ll clear that up as well as some other misconceptions that you might have. We figure it’s one more way to give back to our customers.
46 CFR Part 67
Most codes that are used in federal regulation may sound dense and weird at first, but when examined, they make sense. This code is a fine example of this. For example, the first part of the code stands for “Title 46.” Then, the “CFR” stands for (as you may have already surmised) “Code of Federal Regulations.” “Part 67” then, is where we come in, as Part 67 refers to “Documentation of Vessels.” Now, you can look at that code again and see that this is all neatly abbreviated.
“Official Number Marking Requirement”
This is just one of the many different parts that are contained within this particular federal regulation. This regulation includes what you have to do to be in compliance with documentation in regards to number marking. That means that you must put “the official number of the vessel, preceded by the abbreviation ‘NO.’ must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals not less than three inches in height in some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull.” Those are direct quotes taken from the statue itself.
Specifics Within the Statute
It’s not always easy to find these statutes, and some of them can be difficult to understand. However, many of them also contain good information, which can answer a lot of questions. The statute referenced in the last paragraph is indicative of this, as tells you that the number has to be permanently affixed to vessel, “so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious.” That way, people who see a vessel that has an incorrect or illegible documentation number would be able to tell quickly. The same goes for if “the official number is on a separate plate,” as it says that the plate “must be fastened in such a manner that its removal would normally cause some scarring of or damage to the surrounding hull area.” Again, this is a statute that makes it harder for your vessel to be stolen.
Reading Regulations so You Don’t Have to
We understand that, for most vessel owners, the last thing anyone wants to do is read maritime legalese. That’s our job, not yours. We do everything in our power to make being in compliance with all of these regulations as easy as possible. You can find all the forms you’ll need at our site, and if you have questions, call (800) 535-8570.