WHAT ARE THE VESSEL NAME AND HAILING PORT REQUIREMENTS?
Documented vessels are assigned an official number for the vessel, but it is not displayed on the vessel’s exterior. Instead, the vessel is identified as documented by its name and hailing port marked on the exterior hull. The vessel name must be composed of letters of the Latin alphabet, or Arabic or Roman numerals that do not exceed 33 characters. The name may not be identical (actually or phonetically) to any word used to solicit assistance at sea; it may not be obscene, indecent or profane (actually or phonetically); and it may not contain racial epithets. A vessel’s name may only be changed by submission of a new application for documentation, fees, the consent of any lienholder and the approval of the NVDC director. Vessel names are not exclusive. The hailing port must be marked on the vessel with the vessel name. The same requirements for changing a vessel name are necessary for a change of hailing port.
