No, a Citizen of a Foreign Country Cannot Buy a USCG Documented Vessel
They can only do so if the vessel has been deleted or removed from USCG documentation. A foreign citizen cannot purchase a vessel that is currently documented with the USCG.
Interested parties can use this link for the certificate of deletion vessel process.
Vessels Can Engage in Foreign Trade
Documented vessels that meet eligibility requirements in regards to vessel ownership can be used for foreign trade. These documented vessels should have an endorsement of “Registry.”
For Questions Regarding Vessel Ownership Requirements
If you have further questions about who is and is not eligible to own a documented vessel, contact the Vessel Registrar Center at info@usvesselregistrar.us or (800) 535-8570 Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
Vessel Documentation Laws Regarding Ownership by Foreign Citizens and Deletion of Certificates of Documentation
The following laws cover restrictions on foreign ownership of documented vessels as well as procedures for COD deletion.
- 67.11 Restriction on transfer of an interest in documented vessels to foreign persons; foreign registry or operation.
(a) Unless approved by the Maritime Administration—
(1) A documented vessel or a vessel last documented under the laws of the United States may not be placed under foreign registry or operated under the authority of a foreign country.
(2) A documented vessel or a vessel last documented under the laws of the United States owned by a citizen of the United States as defined in 46 U.S.C. 50501, may not be sold, leased, chartered, delivered, or otherwise transferred to any person who is not a citizen of the United States as defined in 46 U.S.C. 50501.
(b) The restrictions in paragraph (a)(2) of this section do not apply to a vessel that has been operated only as:
(1) A fishing vessel, fish processing vessel, or fish tender vessel as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101;
(2) A recreational vessel; or
(3) Both.
Note:
For purposes of carrying out its responsibilities under the provisions of this part only, the Coast Guard will deem a vessel which has been documented exclusively with a fishery or recreational endorsement or both from the time it was first documented, or for a period of not less than one year prior to foreign transfer or registry, to qualify for the exemption granted in paragraph (b) of this section.
(c) The exemption in paragraph (b) of this section does not relieve all vessels from meeting the fishery endorsement requirements of this part. If your vessel is less than 100 feet in length and is a fishing vessel, fish processing vessel, or fish tender vessel as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101, you must meet the fishery endorsement requirements set out in this part. Each vessel 100 feet and greater in length applying for a fishery endorsement is regulated by the Maritime Administration requirements found in 46 CFR part 356.
- 67.171 Deletion; requirement and procedure.
(a) A Certificate of Documentation together with any endorsement(s) thereon is invalid, except as provided in § 67.161, and the vessel is subject to deletion from the roll of actively documented vessels when:
(1) The vessel is placed under foreign flag;
(2) The vessel is sold or transferred in whole or in part to a person who is not a citizen of the United States within the meaning of subpart C of this part;
(3) Any owner of the vessel ceases to be a citizen of the United States within the meaning of subpart C of this part;
(4) The owner no longer elects to document the vessel;
(5) The vessel no longer measures at least five net tons;
(6) The vessel ceases to be capable of transportation by water;
(7) The owner fails to exchange the Certificate as required by § 67.167;
(8) The owner fails to maintain the markings required by subpart I of this part;
(9) The endorsements on the Certificate are revoked because the vessel owner is the subject of an outstanding civil penalty assessed by the Coast Guard; or
(10) The owner fails to:
(i) Renew the endorsement(s) as required by § 67.163; or
(ii) Comply with the provisions of § 67.165.
(b) Where a cause for deletion arises for any reason under paragraphs (a) (1) through (6) of this section, the owner must send or deliver the original Certificate of Documentation to the National Vessel Documentation Center together with a statement setting forth the reason(s) deletion is required.
(c) When a Certificate of Documentation is required to be deleted because the vessel has been placed under foreign flag or has been sold or transferred in whole or in part to a non-citizen of the United States, the owner of that vessel must comply with the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, and file:
(1) Evidence of the sale or transfer, if any; and
(2) Evidence that the Maritime Administration has consented to the sale or transfer, except for vessels identified in § 67.11(b) and vessels for which the Maritime Administration has granted approval for unrestricted sale or transfer pursuant to regulations set forth in 46 CFR part 221.
(d) A certificate evidencing deletion from U.S. documentation will be issued upon request of the vessel owner to the National Vessel Documentation Center upon compliance with the applicable requirements of this subpart.