Every industry, every hobby has its own jargon. In boating, the jargon might actually be more dense and esoteric than in other industries. While there may be several reasons that this is true, a significant one is that people have been boating for literally thousands of years. That’s plenty of time for terms to be originated, used all over, and then continue to be used even if the original meaning has been lost. If you’re newly a vessel owner or you’ve been around the water for some time, some of these terms may be confusing. We’ll clear a few up, such as “what is a hailing port?”
So, What is a Hailing Port?
For those of us who are a bit younger, “hailing port” might sound like something you put your mobile device in to let it charge. Actually, this is the port from which your vessel hails. While that might sound a bit reflexive, it’s actually an important part of vessel documentation. Indeed, you have to have this port painted on the stern of all documented vessels here in the United States. So, this is the kind of thing you need to know if you’re going to have your vessel documented.
How do I know Which is my Hailing Port?
A simple rule of thumb to know what your particular hailing port is: ask yourself: which port is closest to where the managing owner of the vessel lives? That’s not always going to be the hailing port of your vessel, but for the most part, it will be. Should you only use your vessel in the summer, for example, and you actually spend the rest of the year far from the port, then it might not apply to you. If you’re trying to figure out what should be the hailing port of your particular vessel, ask yourself: “where is it docked the most?” Once you figure that out, you’re a long way towards determining the hailing port.
Why Do I Have to Give that Info?
It helps the authorities to keep track of everyone, to know where everyone is. When your hailing port is documented on the side of your vessel, people are going to be able to find it that much easier. Of course, life changes quite a bit. What’s your hailing port for many years may not be one day, whether due to you moving or any other reason. Should that be the case, you can find the forms to change the hailing port of your vessel at our site.
A Port for Documentation Forms
At our site, you can find all of the forms you need for your vessel. You can fill in the hailing port, get the initial documentation, and even delete the documentation if you need to do so. We take great pride in offering forms, counsel, and advice to vessel owners from all walks of life. If you have more questions you want to be answered, just call us at (800) 535-8570.