Coast Guard regulations require that documented vessels must have the "Official Number" permanently affixed in block numerals at least 3 inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the boat. Surely this does not mean I have to get out a wood burning set and carve the numbers into a teak bulkhead in the salon! For those of you with documented boats, where did you put the numbers and how did you make them "permanent"?
My boat has been in violation of this regulation for 17 years. However, now that the Coast Guard has moved their operations to the dock next to me, I figure it is about time to come into compliance. Thanks for any suggestions you can offer.
Cottontail, CD30
Scituate Harbor, MA
Documentation question
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Larry DeMers
Re: Documentation question
Well, this is probably the literal interpretation of the rule. But what has worked and they say it is fine, is for you to make a wood sign with the numbers carved permanently in them, then affix this sign to the boat with adhesive such that to remove it would cause a physical evidence of the removal.
To this end, we did that. We burned 3 inch letters into a piece of teak, and then epoxied it to the wood directly under the companionway, and above the first step on our CD30. Be sure to follow their guidelines for the entire number and documented wgt.
With all the required signage on our boats, it is getting hard to find space to mount gear anymore!
Cheers,
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Apostle Islands of Lake Superior
demers@sgi.com
To this end, we did that. We burned 3 inch letters into a piece of teak, and then epoxied it to the wood directly under the companionway, and above the first step on our CD30. Be sure to follow their guidelines for the entire number and documented wgt.
With all the required signage on our boats, it is getting hard to find space to mount gear anymore!
Cheers,
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Apostle Islands of Lake Superior
Jerry wrote: Coast Guard regulations require that documented vessels must have the "Official Number" permanently affixed in block numerals at least 3 inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the boat. Surely this does not mean I have to get out a wood burning set and carve the numbers into a teak bulkhead in the salon! For those of you with documented boats, where did you put the numbers and how did you make them "permanent"?
My boat has been in violation of this regulation for 17 years. However, now that the Coast Guard has moved their operations to the dock next to me, I figure it is about time to come into compliance. Thanks for any suggestions you can offer.
Cottontail, CD30
Scituate Harbor, MA
demers@sgi.com
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Joe Sankey
Re: Documentation question
Our 30 has a wood panel with numerals applied epoxied and glassed to the inner hull in the hanging locker. Our 28 had a similar sign inside the cockpit locker. And, on a previous powerboat it was glassed in in a locker under the sole. I think as long as it can be readily found it meets the requirement. Larry is correct about the signs of removal part; it must be done in a way that makes it part of the boat, as if it were wood and carved in.
sankey@gulftel.com
Jerry wrote: Coast Guard regulations require that documented vessels must have the "Official Number" permanently affixed in block numerals at least 3 inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the boat. Surely this does not mean I have to get out a wood burning set and carve the numbers into a teak bulkhead in the salon! For those of you with documented boats, where did you put the numbers and how did you make them "permanent"?
My boat has been in violation of this regulation for 17 years. However, now that the Coast Guard has moved their operations to the dock next to me, I figure it is about time to come into compliance. Thanks for any suggestions you can offer.
Cottontail, CD30
Scituate Harbor, MA
sankey@gulftel.com
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Ken Coit
Re: Documentation question
Parfait has a carved and varnished plank of teak mounted well below the V-berth insert where it doesn't block access to the cubby or drawers. It is quite visible, but not aesthetically disturbing. While it can be seen from the companionway, it blends in to the varnished teak background and might not be readable from that distance.
I don't think that merely painting them on a structural member meets the criteria because they could be obliterted by paint. I do think they need to be carved into something that is affixed permanently.
Ken Coit
CD/36 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from Beaufort, NC
parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com
I don't think that merely painting them on a structural member meets the criteria because they could be obliterted by paint. I do think they need to be carved into something that is affixed permanently.
Ken Coit
CD/36 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from Beaufort, NC
Jerry wrote: Coast Guard regulations require that documented vessels must have the "Official Number" permanently affixed in block numerals at least 3 inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the boat. Surely this does not mean I have to get out a wood burning set and carve the numbers into a teak bulkhead in the salon! For those of you with documented boats, where did you put the numbers and how did you make them "permanent"?
My boat has been in violation of this regulation for 17 years. However, now that the Coast Guard has moved their operations to the dock next to me, I figure it is about time to come into compliance. Thanks for any suggestions you can offer.
Cottontail, CD30
Scituate Harbor, MA
parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com
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Bob Grabham
Re: Documentation question
Jerry - Just a comment on the documentation number and where you decide to affix it to the boat. I suggest that wherever you decide to affix the numbers, don't tell others where it is. I'd advise putting it somewhere where it is not visible. Why, you ask? In case the boat is stolen and a law enforcement agent luckily boards her while the thief is on board, one of the first questions asked will be what is your documentation number and where is it affixed to the boat. Obviously, the valid owner would know the answer while it is unlikely that the thief would. Just a thought from a former law enforcement officer.
Bob Grabham
CD-36, #140
Hunky Dory
Topping, Virginia (Rappahannock River)
grabhamb@chesterfield.gov
Bob Grabham
CD-36, #140
Hunky Dory
Topping, Virginia (Rappahannock River)
grabhamb@chesterfield.gov
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Ed Haley
Re: Documentation question
Mokita had her documentation numbers engraved on the wooden lip of a cockpit locker. It's interior, visible and fixed. I plan to also have the numbers engraved on a wooden back of a bulkhead shelf that will be installed to hold glassware.
Ed Haley
S/V Mokita
CD330 #1
Mystic, CT (temporary)
eghaleyNOSPAM@twcny.rr.com
Ed Haley
S/V Mokita
CD330 #1
Mystic, CT (temporary)
eghaleyNOSPAM@twcny.rr.com
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Mario
Re: Documentation question
Ours are carved into a board and attached to a bulkhead in the head. We've had two courtesy CG inspections and no objections to their location.
Mario
Rhapsody
CD30 #252
Windmill Point, VA
capedory252@aol.com
Mario
Rhapsody
CD30 #252
Windmill Point, VA
capedory252@aol.com
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Tom
Re: Documentation question
I just opened the port cockpit locker on my 31 and carved the numbers into the forward teak board that lines the locker with a chisel. Since this board is glassed in and non-removable, it meets the CG requirements. Then I put white paint in the carved grooves to make it stand out.
Tom
Channel Islands, Calif.
TomCambria@mindspring.com
Tom
Channel Islands, Calif.
Jerry wrote: Coast Guard regulations require that documented vessels must have the "Official Number" permanently affixed in block numerals at least 3 inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the boat. Surely this does not mean I have to get out a wood burning set and carve the numbers into a teak bulkhead in the salon! For those of you with documented boats, where did you put the numbers and how did you make them "permanent"?
My boat has been in violation of this regulation for 17 years. However, now that the Coast Guard has moved their operations to the dock next to me, I figure it is about time to come into compliance. Thanks for any suggestions you can offer.
Cottontail, CD30
Scituate Harbor, MA
TomCambria@mindspring.com
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Patrick Turner
Re: Documentation question
I am also in non-compliance of this rule....but plan on addressing that this year. I am looking for a suitable place as well but may use something I saw on another boat. The owners had used standard 3" vinyl lettering that they had stuck to the hull in a visable part of one of the cockpit lockers and then glassed over it with a single sheet of glass/resin. Easy to see and not coming off.
Pat
patrick.t@attbi.com
Pat
patrick.t@attbi.com
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D. Stump, Hanalei
Re: Hanaleis' Numbers....
Pat,
My documentation numbers are just as you describe in the Port cockpit locker. Don't know if they meet the requirements though as you could probably paint right over them, they are not engraved.
D. Stump, Hanalei
My documentation numbers are just as you describe in the Port cockpit locker. Don't know if they meet the requirements though as you could probably paint right over them, they are not engraved.
D. Stump, Hanalei
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Jerry
Re: Documentation question
Larry,
Re: Documented weight??? I thought just the 6-digit document number was required. Does the weight also have to be carved in 3 inch letters? This is going to require more than a board, it will require LUMBER!
Thanks to all for the ideas.
Re: Documented weight??? I thought just the 6-digit document number was required. Does the weight also have to be carved in 3 inch letters? This is going to require more than a board, it will require LUMBER!
Thanks to all for the ideas.
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Larry DeMers
Re: Documentation question
Yup. The documentation papers will tell you what has to be put on the number board. As I recall it, you put your 7 digit number on as well as the weight as shown on the applicatiom. For some reason, I do not think that this is the actual weight, but rather another measurement expressed in tons. Maybe someone else out there knows the purpose of the weight figure, and it's significance.
So you got a 3 ft. board? hee..mine is probably 18in. long, 3 1/2 tall. What with the no dumping garbage and no dumping oil plaques, all the open spots get taken.
Larry DeMers
demers@sgi.com
So you got a 3 ft. board? hee..mine is probably 18in. long, 3 1/2 tall. What with the no dumping garbage and no dumping oil plaques, all the open spots get taken.
Larry DeMers
Jerry wrote: Larry,
Re: Documented weight??? I thought just the 6-digit document number was required. Does the weight also have to be carved in 3 inch letters? This is going to require more than a board, it will require LUMBER!
Thanks to all for the ideas.
demers@sgi.com
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Tom
What weight number means
The weight number represents the cargo carrying capacity of your vessel not including anything on deck or inside the bulwarks. Thus it's basically the cargo capacity below decks. The CG has a formula for figuring this out based on the length, beam etc., or you can have it measured by the Coast Guard who will send an official out to measure your boat. For production boats like ours it's usually easy to find out by finding out what a similar boat measured out at. On my CD 31 the gross tonnage is 8 GRT and the net tonnage is 8 NRT. I think the GRT means "Gross Registered Tonnage"
Tom
CD 31 "Heiress"
Channel Islands, Calif.
TomCambria@mindspring.com
Tom
CD 31 "Heiress"
Channel Islands, Calif.
Larry DeMers wrote: Yup. The documentation papers will tell you what has to be put on the number board. As I recall it, you put your 7 digit number on as well as the weight as shown on the applicatiom. For some reason, I do not think that this is the actual weight, but rather another measurement expressed in tons. Maybe someone else out there knows the purpose of the weight figure, and it's significance.
So you got a 3 ft. board? hee..mine is probably 18in. long, 3 1/2 tall. What with the no dumping garbage and no dumping oil plaques, all the open spots get taken.
Larry DeMers
Jerry wrote: Larry,
Re: Documented weight??? I thought just the 6-digit document number was required. Does the weight also have to be carved in 3 inch letters? This is going to require more than a board, it will require LUMBER!
Thanks to all for the ideas.
TomCambria@mindspring.com
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Ken Coit
Youse guys are just trying to pull my chain, right?
From the USCG FAQs on Documentation:
"HOW DO I MARK MY VESSEL?
The official number assigned to documented vessels, preceded of the abbreviation "NO." must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least three inches high 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."
"The name and hailing port of a recreational vessel must be marked together on some clearly visible exterior part of the hull. The vessel name of a commercial vessel must also be marked on the port and starboard bow and the vessel name and the hailing port must also be marked on the stern. All markings may be made by any means and materials that result in durable markings and must be at least four inches in height, made in clearly legible letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals. The "hailing port" must include both a place and a State, Territory, or possession of in the United States. The state may be abbreviated."
Note the "clearly visible" part. Note that tonnage is not mentioned, but that you must identify the number as a number (!) by preceeding it with "No." And by the way, don't forget to ask your mortgagee if it is OK for you to change the hailing port of your vessel:
"HOW DO I CHANGE THE NAME OR HAILING PORT OF MY VESSEL?
The name and/or hailing port may be changed by filing an application for change on form CG-1258 with the appropriate fees. If your vessel is subject to a mortgage of record, you must obtain permission from the mortgagee on form CG-4593."
Where do all these dockside legends come from?
Keep on sailing,
Ken Coit
CD/36 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from Beaufort, NC
parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com
"HOW DO I MARK MY VESSEL?
The official number assigned to documented vessels, preceded of the abbreviation "NO." must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least three inches high 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."
"The name and hailing port of a recreational vessel must be marked together on some clearly visible exterior part of the hull. The vessel name of a commercial vessel must also be marked on the port and starboard bow and the vessel name and the hailing port must also be marked on the stern. All markings may be made by any means and materials that result in durable markings and must be at least four inches in height, made in clearly legible letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals. The "hailing port" must include both a place and a State, Territory, or possession of in the United States. The state may be abbreviated."
Note the "clearly visible" part. Note that tonnage is not mentioned, but that you must identify the number as a number (!) by preceeding it with "No." And by the way, don't forget to ask your mortgagee if it is OK for you to change the hailing port of your vessel:
"HOW DO I CHANGE THE NAME OR HAILING PORT OF MY VESSEL?
The name and/or hailing port may be changed by filing an application for change on form CG-1258 with the appropriate fees. If your vessel is subject to a mortgage of record, you must obtain permission from the mortgagee on form CG-4593."
Where do all these dockside legends come from?
Keep on sailing,
Ken Coit
CD/36 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from Beaufort, NC
Larry DeMers wrote: Yup. The documentation papers will tell you what has to be put on the number board. As I recall it, you put your 7 digit number on as well as the weight as shown on the applicatiom. For some reason, I do not think that this is the actual weight, but rather another measurement expressed in tons. Maybe someone else out there knows the purpose of the weight figure, and it's significance.
So you got a 3 ft. board? hee..mine is probably 18in. long, 3 1/2 tall. What with the no dumping garbage and no dumping oil plaques, all the open spots get taken.
Larry DeMers
Jerry wrote: Larry,
Re: Documented weight??? I thought just the 6-digit document number was required. Does the weight also have to be carved in 3 inch letters? This is going to require more than a board, it will require LUMBER!
Thanks to all for the ideas.
parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com