United States Coast Guard documentation is the national, federal form of boat documentation in America. State registration pertains to a given state. USCG documentation is for the entire country.
Vessels Owners Can Choose Endorsements for Their Certificate of Documentation
When vessel owners document their vessels with the USCG, they can choose an endorsement for their vessel. Essentially, an endorsement is a statement of purpose, how the vessel owner plans to use the vessel.
Types of Endorsements
The most common endorsements are Recreation, Fishery, Coastwise, or Registry.
Any vessel can be used for recreation. However, a vessel with a recreation endorsement can only be used for recreation/pleasure.
Coastwise trade, in this context, includes the transportation of passengers or merchandise on navigable waters of the United States and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The latter is essentially 200 nautical miles off of the coast of the United States.
A Fishery endorsement entitles a vessel to land its catch, wherever caught, in the United States.
The Registry endorsement is mostly used in foreign trade.
A vessel with a recreation endorsement can only be bareboat chartered for recreational use. Private legal counsel can provide further guidance.
If you wish to change the endorsement on your documented vessel, utilize this form for Change of Endorsement/Trade Indicator.
If you have any questions about Certificates of Documentation, boat documentation, or endorsements, contact the Vessel Registrar Center at info@usvesselregistrar.us or (800) 535-8570 Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
Coast Guard Documentation Laws Regarding Endorsements
“Endorsement” means an entry which may be made on a Certificate of Documentation, and which, except for a recreational endorsement, is conclusive evidence that a vessel is entitled to engage in a specified trade.
Subpart B—Forms of Documentation; Endorsements; Eligibility of Vessel
- 67.15 Form of document—all endorsements.
(a) The form of document is a Certificate of Documentation, form CG–1270.
(b) Upon application in accordance with subpart K of this part and determination of qualification by the Director, National Vessel Documentation Center, a Certificate of Documentation may be issued with a registry, coastwise, fishery, or recreational endorsement.
(c) A Certificate of Documentation may bear simultaneous endorsements for recreation and more than one trade, including operation under 46 CFR part 68.
Note:
Where a vessel possesses a Certificate of Documentation bearing more than one endorsement, the actual use of the vessel determines the endorsement under which it is operating.
- 67.17 Registry endorsement.
(a) A registry endorsement entitles a vessel to employment in the foreign trade; trade with Guam, American Samoa, Wake, Midway, or Kingman Reef; and any other employment for which a coastwise, or fishery endorsement is not required.
(b) Any vessel eligible for documentation under § 67.5 is eligible for a registry endorsement.
- 67.19 Coastwise endorsement.
(a) A coastwise endorsement entitles a vessel to employment in unrestricted coastwise trade, dredging, towing, and any other employment for which a registry or fishery endorsement is not required.
(b) If eligible for documentation and not restricted from coastwise trade by paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, the following vessels are eligible for a coastwise endorsement:
(1) Vessels built in the United States (§ 67.97);
(2) Forfeited vessels (§ 67.131);
(3) Vessels granted coastwise trading privileges by special legislation (§ 67.132);
(4) Wrecked vessels (§ 67.133);
(5) Captured vessels (§ 67.134); and
(6) Vessels purchased, chartered, or leased from the Secretary of Transportation by persons who are citizens of the United States (46 U.S.C. 57109).
(c) A vessel otherwise eligible for a coastwise endorsement under paragraph (b) of this section permanently loses that eligibility if:
(1) It is thereafter sold in whole or in part to an owner:
(i) Not a citizen as defined in subpart C of this part, or
(ii) Not a person permitted to document vessels pursuant to 46 CFR part 68;
(2) It is thereafter registered under the laws of a foreign country;
(3) It undergoes rebuilding as defined in § 67.177 outside of the United States; or
(4) It is a crude oil tanker of 20,000 deadweight tons or above, and after October 17, 1978, has segregated ballast tanks, a crude oil washing system, or an inert gas system installed outside of the United States as defined in § 67.3.
(d) A vessel otherwise eligible for a coastwise endorsement under paragraph (b) of this section loses that eligibility during any period in which it is:
(1) Owned by a corporation which does not meet the citizenship requirements of § 67.39(c);
(2) Owned by a partnership which does not meet the citizenship requirements of § 67.35(c); or
(3) Mortgaged to a person not identified in § 67.233(b).
- 67.21 Fishery endorsement.
(a) A fishery endorsement entitles a vessel to employment in the fisheries as defined in § 67.3, subject to Federal and State laws regulating the fisheries, and in any other employment for which a registry or coastwise endorsement is not required. A fishery endorsement entitles a vessel to land its catch, wherever caught, in the United States.
(b) If eligible for documentation and not restricted from the fisheries by paragraph (c) of this section, the following vessels are eligible for a fishery endorsement:
(1) Vessels built in the United States (§ 67.97);
(2) Forfeited vessels (§ 67.131);
(3) Vessels granted fisheries privileges by special legislation(§ 67.132);
(4) Wrecked vessels (§ 67.133); and
(5) Captured vessels (§ 67.134).
(c) A vessel otherwise eligible for a fishery endorsement under paragraph (b) of this section permanently loses that eligibility if it undergoes rebuilding as defined in § 67.177 outside of the United States.
(d) A vessel otherwise eligible for a fishery endorsement under paragraph (b) of this section loses that eligibility during any period in which it is:
(1) Owned by a partnership which does not meet the requisite citizenship requirements of § 67.35(b);
(2) Owned by a corporation which does not meet the citizenship requirements of § 67.39(b); or
(3) Chartered or leased to an individual who is not a citizen of the United States or to an entity that is not eligible to own a vessel with a fishery endorsement, except that time charters, voyage charters and other charters that are not a demise of the vessel may be entered into with Non-Citizens for the charter of dedicated Fish Tender Vessels and Fish Processing Vessels that are not engaged in the harvesting of fish or fishery resources without the vessel losing its eligibility for a fishery endorsement.
(e) A vessel operating with a fishery endorsement on October 1, 1998, under the authority of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, or a purse seine vessel engaged in tuna fishing outside of the EEZ of the United States or pursuant to the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Treaty may continue to operate as set out in 46 U.S.C. 12113(c)(3), provided that the owner of the vessel continues to comply with the fishery endorsement requirements that were in effect on October 1, 1998.
(f) An individual or entity that is otherwise eligible to own a vessel with a fishery endorsement shall be ineligible if an instrument or evidence of indebtedness, secured by a mortgage of the vessel, to a trustee eligible to own a vessel with a fishery endorsement is issued, assigned, transferred, or held in trust for a person not eligible to own a vessel with a fishery endorsement, unless the Commandant determines that the issuance, assignment, transfer, or trust arrangement does not result in an impermissible transfer of control of the vessel and that the trustee:
(1) Is organized as a corporation that meets § 67.39(b) of this part, and is doing business under the laws of the United States or of a State;
(2) Is authorized under those laws to exercise corporate trust powers which meet § 67.36(b) of this part;
(3) Is subject to supervision or examination by an official of the United States Government or a State;
(4) Has a combined capital and surplus (as stated in its most recent published report of condition) of at least $3,000,000; and
(5) Meets any other requirements prescribed by the Commandant.
For vessels greater than or equal to 100 feet in length, approval of such an arrangement from the Maritime Administration will be accepted as evidence that the above conditions are met and will be approved by the Commandant. For vessels less than 100 feet, a standard loan and mortgage agreement that has received general approval under 46 CFR 356.21 will be accepted as evidence that the above conditions are met and will be approved by the Commandant.
- 67.23 Recreational endorsement.
(a) A recreational endorsement entitles a vessel to pleasure use only.
(b) Any vessel eligible for documentation under § 67.5 is eligible for a recreational endorsement.
Note:
A vessel having a Certificate of Documentation endorsed only for recreation may be bareboat chartered only for recreational use. Guidance on the elements of a valid bareboat charter should be obtained through private legal counsel.