The United States Coast Guard has instituted a number of requirements for commercial fishing vessels operating in national waters. These rules are intended to protect the safety of crew and passengers aboard, prevent property damage, reduce environmental impact, and reduce the likelihood of a maritime accident.Many regulations are based on the size and scope of a vessel. For instance, safety equipment requirements vary, depending on the vessel size and whether the boat will travel on inland...

United States-flagged, uninspected towing vessels are subject to a number of federal regulations, including United States Coast Guard requirements. These rules and guidelines apply to vessels that do not carry freight or passengers.USCG requirements are designed for vessels limited to towing disabled or otherwise inoperable vessels to a point of safety. A towing vessel is defined by 33 Code of Federal Regulations 164.70 as a commercial vessel that pulls, pushes or hauls alongside – or any...

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has established a number of rules and regulations to establish safe operation for cargo ships on domestic and international waters. Below is an outline of some of the most pertinent cargo ship regulations of which vessel owners, captains and certain crew should be aware. Cargo Ships/Steel Vessels Certified for International Voyage The U.S. Supplement to the American Bureau of Shipping includes updates to the regulation of steel vessels certified for international...

In most instances, Hull Identification Numbers (HIN) are assigned and affixed by the manufacturer. The HIN, which is a unique 12-digit number, should be permanently affixed to the hull, as well as one other location on the vessel. The HIN registry system provides a way to distinguish vessels from one another and to trace vessels from their date of manufacture. Applying for a Hull Identification Number U.S. §181.23 stipulates that all vessels manufactured after 1972 are to have a hull number....