[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 159 (Monday, August 18, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43958-43959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21811]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 187

46 CFR Part 67

[CGD 96-060]


Vessel Documentation: Combined Builder's Certificate and 
Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, Submission of Hull Identification 
Number (HIN) for Documentation of Recreational Vessels, and Issuance of 
Temporary Certificates of Documentation

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The National Vessel Documentation Center will hold a public 
meeting as a follow-up to its November 14, 1996, notice of requests for 
comments on vessel documentation matters. The meeting will be held to 
discuss combining the Builder's Certificate and the Manufacturer's 
Certificate of Origin, requiring a Hull Identification Number for the 
documentation of recreational vessels, and issuing a Temporary 
Certificate of Documentation.

DATES: The meeting will be on September 17, 1997, from 10 a.m. to 4 
p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be in room 6200-6204, Department of 
Transportation, Nassif Building, 400 7th Street SW., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dennis M. Nelson, Chief, 
Recreational Vessel Documentation Branch, National Vessel Documentation 
Center, 2039 Stonewall Jackson Dr., Falling Waters, WV 25419; telephone 
304-271-2400 (800-799-8362); fax 304-271-2405.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 14, 1996, the Coast Guard 
published a ``notice of request for comments'' (61 FR 58359) on the 
following subjects. The notice provides additional background 
information. After reviewing the comments, we now need your help in 
answering the following questions:
    1. Hull Identification Number (HIN). The Coast Guard is considering 
requiring that recreational vessels be marked with an HIN before being 
documented and that the HIN appear on the application for 
documentation. This would align documentation process with the Vessel 
Identification System. Also, it would deter fraud, aid in law 
enforcement, and improve the identification of vessels. Should a photo 
or a rubbing of the HIN accompany the Application for Documentation?
    2. Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin and Builder's 
Certification. Currently, the States use the Manufacturer's Certificate 
of Origin (MCO) for registering and titling vessels and the Coast Guard 
uses the Builder's Certification (Form CG-1261) for documenting 
vessels. The Coast Guard is considering combining these two forms to 
reduce the possibility for fraud, allow boat manufacturers to use only 
one form for either system, and aid law enforcement by means of a 
uniform system for identifying vessels. Are there any reasons why this 
proposal should not be adopted?

[[Page 43959]]

    3. Temporary Certificate of Documentation. For various reasons, a 
permanent Certificate of Documentation cannot be issued immediately 
upon application for documentation or re-documentation. This prevents 
vessel owners from operating their vessels during processing of 
applications. The delays in processing are due to the need to first get 
a Satisfaction of Mortgage or a Mortgagee Consent, to the seasonal 
fluctuations in the volume of applications received, and to the limited 
amount of equipment and staff available to process applications. To 
enable owners to operate their vessels during the application process, 
a temporary certificate of documentation could be issued.This would not 
only reduce down-time for vessels but also assist law enforcement and 
relieve States from having to issue temporary motorboat registrations. 
What information should the certificate contain? For how long should it 
be valid? Who should be authorized to issue it? How can its use be 
controlled? How much should the issuing person charge?

Procedural

    The meeting will be in the form of an informal workshop open to the 
public. It is intended to bring together persons knowledgeable about 
the three issues addressed in this notice to assist the Coast Guard in 
answering the questions raised.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
Mr. Dennis M. Nelson as soon as possible.

    Dated: August 13, 1997.
Joseph J. Angelo,
Director of Standards, Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 97-21811 Filed 8-15-97; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M