Hull Identification NumberValidation/Verification

Verification of hull identification numbers (HINs)

§ 174.16 (b) As of January 1, 2017, before taking any action relating to a vessel imported or manufactured on or after November 1, 1972, the issuing authority must determine whether the vessel has a primary HIN meeting the requirements of 33 CFR part 181, subpart C.

33 CFR Part 181…§ 181.23 Hull identification numbers required(a) A manufacturer must identify each boat produced or

imported with primary and secondary hull identification numbers permanently affixed in accordance with § 181.29.

(b) A person who manufacturers or imports a boat for his or her own use and not for sale must obtain the required hull identification number in accordance with the requirements of the issuing authority.

(c) No person may assign the same HIN to more than one boat.

§ 181.29 Hull identification number displayTwo identical hull identification numbers are required to be

displayed on each boat hull.(a) The primary hull identification number must be affixed –

(b) The duplicate hull identification number must be affixed in an unexposed location on the interior of the boat or beneath a fitting or item of hardware.

(c) Each hull identification number must be carved, burned, stamped, embossed, molded, bonded or otherwise permanently affixed to the boat so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious. If the number is on a separate plate, the plate must be fastened in such a manner that its removal would normally cause some scarring of or damage to the surrounding hull area. A hull identification number must not be attached to parts of the boat that are removable.

§ 181.31 Manufacturer identification code assignment

(a) Each person required by § 181.23 (a) of this part to affix hull identification numbers must request a manufacturer identification code in writing from the Commandant.

(b) For boats manufactured outside of the jurisdiction of the United States, a U.S. importer must obtain a manufacturer identification code as required by paragraph (a) of this section. The request must indicate the importer’s name and U.S. address along with a list of the manufacturers, their addresses and the general types and sizes of boats that will be imported. If a nation has a hull identification number system which has been accepted by the Coast Guard for the purpose of importing boats, it may be used by the importer instead of the one specific within this subpart.

Since November 1, 1972 there has been three hull identification number

formats.

1. Straight Year Format

2. Model Year Format

3. Current Format

Between Nov. 1, 1972 and July 31, 1984 there were two formats used:

Straight Year

Straight Year Format

** NO CONFIDENTIAL HIN WAS ASSIGNED DURING THIS PERIOD

Model Year

Model Year Format

Current HIN Format

Current Year Format Example

In July 2002 Ohio Law was changed to require a HIN program to validate and verify a HIN. This program has been very successful as it has made Ohio’s Boat Registration and Titling System much more accurate and reliable. In addition, law enforcement agencies are able to receive and use registration and titling information that is accurate where as in the past that was not the case.

Ohio’s HIN Program

This is an example of the current HIN plates issued by the State of Ohio. We started issuing HINs in July 1974.

Ohio Procedure…

1. Pencil Tracing

2. Digital Picture/Photo

3. A Physical Inspection by a Watercraft Officer (includes HIN, make, model, year, hull material, propulsion, length, and boat registration number)

4. Call the Manufacturer (if in business)

5. Research internet on Manufacturers (USCG MIC page)

6. NICB

In order to verify a correct 12 character HIN, Ohio uses a combination of the follow methods:

Manufacturer Identification Code (MIC)

http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic1.aspx

All boats coming into Ohio from another state or another country that has an incorrect HIN must first be inspected by a Watercraft Officer before being titled and/or registered.

Vessels “manufactured” in 1973 that do not meet the USCG HIN format…..

Some vessels were manufactured in 1972 before the HIN format was in place but were given a 1973 model year. All records on these vessels are researched to determine if the vessel was manufactured prior to November 1, 1972. If the manufacture date can’t be determined then the vessel is required to be inspected by a Watercraft Officer.

Issuance of HIN plates to vessels with a manufacturer still in business……..

- There are occasions when the Division will stamp out a HIN for a manufacturer. Leave the “Division of Watercraft, do not remove” on the plate. This will identify us as the agency stamping the plate.

- A MSO from the Company or a letter on Official letterhead requesting a specific HIN to be stamped.

- The HIN assigned by the manufacturer must be researched to determine there are no other vessels with the same HIN.

- All supporting documentation will be kept with the case file.

- Officer must affix the HIN plates to the vessel.

1973 and newer vessels with wrong formats for HIN….

- The USCG will allow a 12 character HIN with an incorrect format as long as the manufacturer and year of the vessel can be identified.

- Many times a HIN is verified as an 11 character or 13 character HIN. The format may be correct with either one digit missing or one extra digit in the production serial no portion of the HIN.

Even though there is a specific 12 character format for all hull identification numbers put in place by USCG, we know manufactures still have their own way of issuing a HIN, therefore to truly be able to validate a HIN is to have knowledge of the Manufacturer issuing the HIN.

The following slides are examples of why there is a need for HIN Validation and Verification.

An 11-character HIN on plastic kayak

DKJN364A707

This is why Ohio asks for a picture instead of a pencil tracing on a Harris

11620stamped

11620stamped

printed printed

2005 Coleman Inflatable, 13-character HINCNP119763C505

See next slide

Confidential HIN for the 2005 Coleman

Slide 2

1973 Chrysler with a Serial No. and a HIN

After research, correct HIN is CBC187991273

1273

YM W L 0 2 4 4 L

1988 American Fiber-Lite canoe sold by SearsMYWL0244L788

See next slide

The HINs on American Fiber-Lite canoes with a Sears capacity plate are usually

very hard to read.

PORTEngine #’s

STBD

Hull ID No.

John Allmand Boats

Model

Date

STG-300

See Next Slide

Same boat as previous pictureJohn Allmand

Slide 2

J A B – 2 3 – S G T – 0 3 0 0 – 1 1 – 3 0 – 7 2

MIC Length Serial No. Date of Production

HIN MAU010000585

Maurell Products still used the straight year format in 1985. As of August, 1 1984 the current format should have been the only format used.

1973 Snark SNAM31917302

Stamped backwards should be 0273

This is very hard to see, but this letter is a backwards “C”

ATXL6688

The owner thought this digit is a “0”. We made it a “C” on paper.

C

999

The last digit (letter) never got stamped. Seems to be common for MFG (Molded Fiberglass Company).

Boat assigned TWO different HINs.

OAL00134D595

OUI01445G494

These two pictures are of a falsified HIN plate on a Kawasaki PWC. Caught because the HIN format was incorrect.

Kawasaki has (to our knowledge) never issued a incorrect HIN format. After investigation, PWC was stolen; tracked by the confidential HIN.

This is a HIN plate on this kayak. FLB = Folbot (known for folding kayaks). WEM = Confluence Watersports (make plastic kayaks)

WEM30989L999

hand engraved HIN on kayak

FLBWEM30989L990

WEM… and “L” is hand engraved; …30989… and …990 is stamped.

Which one is the legitimate HIN?

same kayak

FRUZ0040B101

Tracked HIN by Wisconsin ghost boat number WS 4676 GD. Boat came out

of salvage yard in Indiana.

Lowe repeats the first 12 characters of a HIN. What makes the HIN different is knowing the characters after the 12th character.

After the dash is the length and model, which is how you tell Lowe boats apart from one another. 14BJ = 14 ft. Big Jon.

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