The National Vessel Documentation Center requires specific information for each application requested. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 46, Volume II, for all RECREATIONAL applications, US Coast Guard Documented vessels must:
Be owned by (a) US Citizen(s) in the following manner:
- Owned only by US Citizens (if not a corporation, partnership or trust)
§ 67.30 Requirement for citizen owner. Certificates of Documentation may be issued under this part only to vessels which are wholly owned by United States citizens. Pursuant to extraordinary legislation at 46 U.S.C. 12118 (Bowater Amendment) and 46 U.S.C. 12117 (Oil Pollution Act of 1990), Certificates of Documentation with limited endorsements may be issued in accordance with part 68 of this chapter to vessels owned by certain persons who are not citizens as defined in this part.
§ 67.33 Individual. An individual is a citizen if native-born, naturalized, or a derivative citizen of the United States, or otherwise qualifies as a United States citizen.
Partnership: at least 50 percent of the equity interest in the partnership is owned by citizens.
§ 67.35 Partnership. A partnership meets citizenship requirements if all its general partners are citizens, and:(a) For the purpose of obtaining a registry or recreational endorsement, at least 50 percent of the equity interest in the partnership is owned by citizens.
§ 67.39 Corporation. (a) For the purpose of obtaining a registry or a recreational endorsement, a corporation meets citizenship requirements if: (1) It is incorporated under the laws of the United States or of a State; (2) Its chief executive officer, by whatever title, is a citizen; (3) Its chairman of the board of directors is a citizen; and (4) No more of its directors are non-citizens than a minority of the number necessary to constitute a quorum. (b) For the purpose of obtaining a fishery endorsement, a corporation meets citizenship requirements if: (1) It meets all the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; and(2) At least 75 percent of the stock interest in the corporation, at each tier of the corporation and in the aggregate, is owned by citizens.
§ 67.36 Trust. (a) For the purpose of obtaining a registry or recreational endorsement, a trust arrangement meets citizenship requirements if:(1) Each of its trustees is a citizen; and(2) Each beneficiary with an enforceable interest in the trust is a citizen.(b) For the purpose of obtaining a fishery endorsement, a trust arrangement meets citizenship requirements if:(1) It meets all the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; and(2) At least 75 percent of the equity interest in the trust, at each tier of the trust and in the aggregate, is owned by citizens.
2. The Vessel must be 5 net tons of volume or more (most vessels over 25ft qualify)
SIMPLIFIED MEASUREMENT – CG-5397 Application for Simplified Measurement: https://unitedstatesvessel.us/CG-5397.pdf
Under this system, tonnages and registered dimensions are assigned using information certified on the front of this form. Formulas for calculating tonnages are found in 46 CFR 69 subpart E, and in policy and guidance documents available from the Coast Guard Marine Safety Center (MSC).
OTHER MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
Formal measurement systems may be used in lieu of the Simplified system and may yield different tonnages. They require the owner to obtain the services of an authorized measurement organization, whose surveyor performs a physical inspection of the vessel. Contact information for these organizations is available from the MSC.
DOCUMENTATION ELIGIBILITY
Under Simplified measurement, a vessel must be 5 net tons or more to be eligible for documentation (issued a Certificate of Documentation). Further information on vessel documentation and its application process (using form CG-1258) is available from the NVDC.
MULTI-HULL VESSELS
For the purposes of Simplified measurement, twin hull and tri-hull vessels are multi-hull vessels, which are defined as vessels with more than one distinct hull. To be considered a distinct hull, the hull must connect to another hull only with structure that is not a part of the vessel’s buoyant hull envelope. For example, multi-hull vessels can include pontoon boats, Hobie Cat-like catamarans, and certain vessels with outriggers, where the connecting structure consists solely of tubing or open structural members.
NOVEL/UNIQUE CRAFT
Certain novel or unique craft cannot be identified or categorized in the types described on the front of this form. If the vessel is in this category, complete Section II, Items 1-4, and Section III of this form and send it, along with sketches, drawings and/or photographs showing vessel geometry and overall dimensions, to the MSC at the address listed below. Send Form CG-1258 and all other information required for vessel documentation to the NVDC, notifying them of the tonnage data submission to the MSC.
3. Title Evidence (previously titled under State, previously USCG Documented, or new from the Builder)
COMMERCIAL VESSELS ARE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
If engaged in Coastwise and Fisheries trade, USCG Documented Vessels must be built in the United States:
§ 67.97 United States built. To be considered built in the United States a vessel must meet both of the following criteria:(a) All major components of its hull and superstructure are fabricated in the United States; and(b) The vessel is assembled entirely in the United States.