Vessel ID Requirements

LII > Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) > Title 50 - Wildlife and Fisheries
> CHAPTER VI - FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
> PART 665 - FISHERIES IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC > Subpart A - General
> § 665.16 Vessel identification.

50 CFR § 665.16 - Vessel identification.
CFR

§ 665.16 Vessel identification.
(a) Applicability. Each fishing vessel subject to this part, except those
identified in paragraph (e) of this section, must be marked for identification
purposes, as follows:
(1) A vessel that is registered for use with a valid permit issued under §
665.801 and used to fish on the high seas within the Convention Area as
defined in § 300.211 of this title must be marked in accordance with the
requirements at §§ 300.14 and 300.217 of this title.
(2) A vessel that is registered for use with a valid permit issued under §
665.801 of this part and not used to fish on the high seas within the
Convention Area must be marked in accordance with either:
(i) Sections 300.14 and 300.217 of this title, or
(ii) Paragraph (b) of this section.
(3) A vessel that is registered for use with a valid permit issued under
subparts B through E and subparts G through I of this part must be marked
in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Identification. Each vessel subject to this section must be marked as
follows:

(1) The vessel's official number must be affixed to the port and starboard
sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather deck, so as to
be visible from enforcement vessels and aircraft. Marking must be legible
and of a color that contrasts with the background.
(2) For fishing and receiving vessels of 65 ft (19.8 m) LOA or longer, the
official number must be displayed in block Arabic numerals at least 18
inches (45.7 cm) in height, except that vessels in precious coral fisheries
that are 65 ft (19.8 m) LOA or longer must be marked in block Arabic
numerals at least 14 inches (35.6 cm) in height.
(3) For all other vessels, the official number must be displayed in block
Arabic numerals at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) in height.
(c) The vessel operator must ensure that the official number is clearly legible
and in good repair.
(d) The vessel operator must ensure that no part of the vessel, its rigging, or
its fishing gear obstructs the view of the official number from an enforcement
vessel or aircraft.
(e) The following fishing vessels are exempt from the vessel identification
requirements in this section:
(1) A vessel registered for use under a MHI non-commercial bottomfish
permit that is in compliance with State of Hawaii bottomfish vessel
registration and marking requirements.
(2) A vessel less than 40 ft (12.2 m) LOA registered for use under a CNMI
commercial bottomfish permit that is in compliance with CNMI bottomfish
vessel registration and marking requirements.
[75 FR 2205, Jan. 14, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 3417, Jan. 21, 2010; 78 FR
33003, June 3, 2013; 78 FR 39583, July 2, 2013]

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