Coast Guard Documentation

When John Schuler bought his Coastal Craft, I went with him on an overnight to Poet's Cove so that he could document going out of the country with the boat. Somehow this enabled him to avoid paying any state sales tax. Maybe he will see this and comment or correct.

Warren
 
Curious as to any particular locations (e.g. V-Berth, Head, etc) others have found appropriate for permanently marking their vessel's for USCG interior (46 CFR 67.120) compliancy.

What have others used to permanently mark the interior of their vessel to meet compliancy?

I was thinking of something to the effect of a etch-o-sketching, or small hand-held dremmel against the glass in either the head or the V-Berth.

Any ideas welcomed; and,

Thanks!
Norm
 
Norm, I think all that matters is that the numbers are at least 4" in height and that they are on a permanent part of the boatss structure. Ie. not on the back of a head door or a part of the boat that can be removed.
 
Hi David,

Thanks for the reply. Actually, the 'interior' vessel documentation number received from the USCG NVDC must be 3" in height & permanently affixed to the interior of the vessel. I was looking to see where & how others have marked the interior.

OFFICIAL NUMBERS:
The official number shown on the Certificate of Documentation, preceded by the abbreviation "NO" must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals of at least 3 inches in height on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be permanently affixed so that alteration, removal or replacement would be obvious and cause some scarring or damage to the surrounding hull area.

NAME AND HAILING PORT: For Recreational vessels the name and hailing port must marked together on some clearly visible exterior part of the hull. For Commercial vessels the name must be marked pm each bow and the vessel name and hailing port must also be marked on the stern. The markings may be made by the use of any means and materials that result in durable markings. All must be at least 4 inches in height, made in clearly legible letters o the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals. A vessel’s Hailing Port marking must include BOTH a place (city) and the state, territory or possession where the place (city) is located. Only the state, territory or possession maybe abbreviated unless the city is a commonly known abbreviation, such as N.Y., N.Y.

Thanks man!
Norm
 
Norm --

As you know, David is right about the numbers needing to be permanently mounted so that their removal would leave damage. I come from Nordic Tugs which are frequently documented and I have seen two methods used. One, which I have used, is to get a sign carver to rout out a number board with the official number. The number board is than attached to a piece of the hull or permanent structure with a full tube of 3M5200. A second approach is to put the numbers in place with 3 inch high stick on numbers. Then, epoxy a light piece of fiberglas cloth over them. A single piece of cloth will be translucent and the numbers will show clearly. As to location, I don't know the CD25 all that well but you do have areas under the cockpit floor that might work like the side of a compartment under the deck. Another alternative would be on the inside of the hull in the cabinet that holds the sink and stove. Some people also go so far as to permanently install, without regard to size requirements, a second permanent documentation number in a location that would be very hard to find like way up underneath a side deck where you could not see it without standing on your head. The purpose of this would be to prove the identity of the boat if it was stolen and the HIN number on the transom was modified.

Are you just planning ahead or did your long awaited documentation come through? If it came through, congratulations.
 
Hi Jim,

Thanks for the post!

So, you've actually addressed two questions I have recently been pondering (all in one reply regarding documentation) even!

(1) Permantent interior marking of the NO your vessel USCG NVDC number ; and,
(2) Marking the name of the vessel in the interior close to the VHF radio (obviously, for anyone to rapidly ID the name of the vessel for a Channel 16 distress call) in case the Master of the vessel is unavailable.

With that much said, I most like the idea of permanently routing out the NO number on a piece of teak and locating it (via 5200) on the interior of the hull near the VHF radio where it: (a) meets USCG NVDC requirements; (b) is aesthetically appealing; and, (c) can be rapidly discovered if required for a distress call by anyone 'other than' Master of the vessel.

Regarding has the documentation itself arrived? Nope. Just forward-thinking contemplation.

Additionally, great idea on the additional area to hide the number. I was thinking inside the anchor locker compartment, aft-facing (so no one could see it unless they were upside and could see backwards!).

I was skeptical about the teak w/ NO number and 5200 permanent mounting - thinking this would not meet the requirements. If it does, that's the way I'm going. You think I should just stop by USCG and ask? Sometimes (not ALL the time) I wonder if USCG actually knows themselves. No disrepect meant here, but sometimes you get what you get and sometimes that isn't much when they mount your vessel - if you know what I mean [tongue-in-cheek].

Thanks man!
Norm
 
When I was buildng boats, you could document the vessels at local documentation centers. Fortunately there was one in Long Beach CA. I became familiar with the requirements--and they have not changed. We did rout numbers and epoxy the teak board onto glass.

For the C Dory 25, I used vinyl stick on numbers (actually my son put numbers on and did a great job). The numbers were placed under the table on the side of the hull. I roughed up the gelcoat with some #80 sandpaper, and used quick set epoxy from West Systems, to layer on a single coat of 6 oz cloth.

I used my label maker to put "Doc no, XXXXXXXX Frequent Sea, 25 foot C Dory, white hull, green trim" right by the microphone on a label about 1" x 3". I believe that there is on convenient area for the amount of room needed for the number near the radio.

The area on the hull, under the table is easily seen, but does not detract from the interior decor. Sorry I didn't take any photos, and the boat is 2100 miles away. But I have done under the table, on the hull on several boats, and it works very well.
 
Hi Bob,

Another great location & method for adhesion - thanks. Which now has me thinking of the ANTIBODY vessel name on teak (near the VHF radio); and, possibly the permanent location of the NO number under the dinette table (port-side) adhered to the hull. The possibilities you guys are offering are great.

I've plenty of trees (scrub-oak w/ their tons of acorns/leaves; pecans w/ their tannins from the shell husks are tough on gel coat) & numerous birds (circling top-side on bomber missions w/ enormous payloads of digested berries) I'm contending w/ today.

Two days after towing ANTIBODY from CT & setting her down on the driveway their first bombing missions began and sprayed a nice streak across the top of the cabin - really nice purple hue! Argh - all before I could decide on a covering.

So, I've taken some minor secondary damage. I ordered up a couple nice canvas' from Northern Tool + Equipment and roughing it in today to stave off the secondary damage.

Actually, it's turning out much better than I had initially suspected.

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

Thanks again!
Norm
 
Norm --

Bob gave you additional detail on the epoxy method and as is always the case with Bob, he is spot on in his instructions. I did exactly the same thing he did by the radio. I used a Brother P-Touch Label machine (available at Staples) to make labels for the vessel name, radio call sign (since I had a ship's station license), official number, air draft and other useful information so that it was immediately available at the helm. The P-Touch labeler is a wonderful invention. Sort of like an updated Dymo label maker but far better. All you need at the helm for the purposes you identified is letters 1/2 or 3/4 inch high which the P-Touch does well.

Also, in a previous post, I mentioned that I was not that familiar with the CD-25. In fact, I have only been aboard a single boat of that type and it was on land at the time. The boat? YOURS!!!!! Earlier this year when it was down at Old Lyme Marina before you bought it. OLM is well known up here and well regarded. You got a nice boat.

Jim
 
Hey Jim,

Small world, indeed. A C-Brats member from CT who boarded ANTIBODY prior to my taking ownership - pretty wild.

As I mentioned in a previous e-mail - OLM was top-notch.

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=9676&highlight=antibody

I have some good labels (IMO). But I employed Helmsman to adhere them to my Safety Locker.

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

I hadn't thought of epoxy, but I suspect the effect is the same, perhaps more permanent w/ the epoxy.

Excellent advice from everyone.

Thanks!
Norm
 
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