Why and how is build evidence established?

Evidence that a vessel was built in America is necessary for any vessel to be used in coastwise trade or fisheries according to GovInfo.

Cornell Law states that evidence may consist of a completed form CG-1261, or other original document containing the same information from a person who has personal knowledge of the facts of the build. This person may have constructed the vessel, supervised its actual construction, or is an officer/employee of the company which built the vessel and has examined the records of the company concerning the facts of the vessel’s build.

Note: a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin is not valid evidence of the facts of build, and a vessel owner who applies for vessel documentation must file a separate certificate from each builder involved in the vessel’s construction.

As a copy will not be accepted, a “Facts of Build Letter” or the original Builder’s Certification must be presented with any submission.