No. Vessel Documentation Does Not Cover the Vessel’s Dinghy
Even if your vessel is documented, that does not cover your boat’s dinghy or tender. No matter what it’s called, if your ship has a smaller ship, it is not covered by your documentation. Instead, your dinghy/tender falls under the jurisdiction of your laws regarding motorboat numbering of whichever state you use your vessel principally.
To complete the application, use this link for Coast Guard boat documentation renewal.
Beyond Coast Guard Boat Documentation Renewal
Whether it’s renewing your vessel documentation, securing your initial COD replacing lost documents, or obtaining an Abstract of Title to review a vessel’s history, our site simplifies the process. A vessel documentation search and many other services are also available.
The laws listed here may clarify your situation further.
- 67.7 Vessels requiring documentation.
Any vessel of at least five net tons which engages in the fisheries on the navigable waters of the United States or in the Exclusive Economic Zone, or coastwise trade, unless exempt under § 67.9(c), must have a Certificate of Documentation bearing a valid endorsement appropriate for the activity in which engaged.
[CGD 89-007, CGD 89-007a, 58 FR 60266, Nov. 15, 1993, as amended by USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49230, Sept. 25, 2009]
- 67.9 Vessels excluded from or exempt from documentation.
(a) A vessel of less than five net tons is excluded from documentation.
(b) A vessel which does not operate on the navigable waters of the United States or in the fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone is exempt from the requirement to have a Certificate of Documentation.
(c) A non-self-propelled vessel, qualified to engage in the coastwise trade is exempt from the requirement to be documented with a coastwise endorsement when engaged in coastwise trade:
(1) Within a harbor;
(2) On the rivers or lakes (except the Great Lakes) of the United States; or
(3) On the internal waters or canals of any State.
(d) A vessel exempt from the requirement to be documented by paragraph (b) or (c) of this section may be documented at the option of the owner, provided it meets the other requirements of this part.
- 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.
[CGD 89-007, CGD 89-007a, 58 FR 60266, Nov. 15, 1003, as amended by USCG-1999-6095, 65 FR 76575, Dec. 7, 2000; USCG-2016-0531, 82 FR 43863, Sept. 20, 2017]
- 67.12 Right of appeal.
Any person directly affected by a decision or action taken under this part by or on behalf of the Coast Guard may appeal therefrom in accordance with subpart 1.03 of this chapter.
- 67.13 Incorporation by reference.
(a) Certain material is incorporated by reference into this part with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To enforce any edition other than that specified in paragraph (b) of this section, the Coast Guard must publish notice of change in the Federal Register and the material must be available to the public. All approved material may be inspected at the U.S. Coast Guard, National Vessel Documentation Center, 792 T.J. Jackson Drive, Falling Waters, WV 25419 and is available from the source indicated in paragraph (b) of this section or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
(b) The material approved for incorporation by reference in this part and the section affected is as follows:
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22181
Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 55DC, Guideline: Codes For Named Populated Places, Primary County Divisions, And Other Locational Entities of the United States and Outlying Areas (1987)—67.119
[CGD 89-007, CGD 89-007a, 58 FR 60266, Nov. 15, 1993, as amended by CGD 95-070, 60 FR 40241, Aug. 7, 1995; USCG-2004-18884, 69 FR 58346, Sept. 30, 2004; USCG-2016-0531, 82 FR 43863, Sept. 20, 2017]
- 67.14 OMB control numbers assigned pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act.
(a) Purpose. This section collects and displays the control numbers assigned to information collection and recordkeeping requirements in this subchapter by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). The Coast Guard intends that this section comply with the requirements of 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(3) which requires that agencies display a current control number assigned by the Director of the OMB for each approved agency information collection requirement.
(b) Display.
| 46 CFR part or section where identified or described | Current OMB control No. |
| Part 67 | 1625-0027 |
| Part 68 | 1625-0027 |
[CGD 89-007, CGD 89-007a, 58 FR 60266, Nov. 15, 1993, as amended by USCG-2004-18884, 69 FR 58346, Sept. 30, 2004; USCG-2016-0531, 82 FR 43863, Sept. 20, 2017]
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.
[CGD 89-007, CGD 89-007a, 58 FR 60266, Nov. 15, 1993; 58 FR 65131, Dec. 13, 1993, as amended by CGD 95-014, 60 FR 31604, June 15, 1995; USCG-1999-6216, 64 FR 53225, Oct. 1, 1999; USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49230, Sept. 25, 2009]
- 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.
[CGD 89-007, CGD 89-007a, 58 FR 60266, Nov. 15, 1993, as amended by USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49230, Sept. 25, 2009; USCG-2016-0531, 82 FR 43863, Sept. 20, 2017]
- 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).
[CGD 89-007, CGD 89-007a, 58 FR 60266, Nov. 15, 1993; 58 FR 65131, Dec. 13, 1993, as amended by CGD 94-008, 59 FR 49846, Sept. 30, 1994; CGD 94-040, 61 FR 17815, Apr. 22, 1996; USCG-2002-13058, 67 FR 61278, Sept. 30, 2002; USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49230, Sept. 25, 2009; USCG-2016-0531, 82 FR 43863, Sept. 20, 2017]
- 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.
[CGD 89-007, CGD 89-007A, 58 FR 60266, Nov. 15, 1993, as amended by CGD 94-040, 61 FR 17815, Apr. 22, 1996; USCG-1999-6095, 65 FR 76575, Dec. 7, 2000; USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49230, Sept. 25, 2009; USCG-2016-0531, 82 FR 43864, Sept. 20, 2017]