Occasionally the Coast Guard will be in the area and may stop to board vessels or to enforce the local speed restrictions. The Coast Guard administers the certification of vessels to carry passengers for hire and has the responsibility of inspecting vessels to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Certification can be handled through the Baltimore office. Marine Inspectors witness all tests and conduct necessary examinations for certification. Certificates of Inspection are issued to inspect vessels once they are deemed to be in compliance with applicable regulations.
Vessel documentation is a national form of registration.
Vessels of five net tons or more used in coastwise trade, including the transportation of passengers between points in the U.S., must be documented. Documentation is handled by the National Vessel Documentation Center in Falling Waters, West Virginia. District of Columbia The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department enforces navigational laws and patrols the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers and associated inlets. Within the Police Department this responsibility lies with the 24-member Harbor Patrol under the command of the Harbormaster. The Harbor Patrol also oversees the titling of recreational vessels.