Do you know what you want the name of your vessel to be, but you aren’t sure if it’s the right one? Are you unsure what to name your vessel and want to know the rules? The name of your vessel may not seem like the biggest deal in the world, but it’s actually quite important. The truth is that people will associate the name of your vessel with you. After all, it’s your vessel. So, you want to have a name that you’ll be glad to have associated with you. Moreover, there are some USCG boat names rules to keep in mind as well.
Official Rules of USCG Boat Names
Documented vessels don’t have their official numbers on the hull, instead, they have their name and hailing port. The name of your vessel can only be made from Latin alphabet letters, or Arabic or Roman numbers. Moreover, there’s a limit on it, too: you can’t go over 33 characters. Additionally, it can’t be something obscene, indecent, profane, or a racial/ethnic epithet. Moreover, it can’t be phonetically identical, either. Speaking of phonetically identical, your vessel’s name can’t be identical to any word or words that are used to solicit assistance at sea. (So, you can’t call your boat “The S. O. S.” or something like that.)
What to Keep in Mind
This is your vessel. So, pick a name you’ll like, but one that won’t ever embarrass you. Yes, you can change your vessel’s name, but most people don’t want to go through that process often. Many folks name their vessels after something they love: whether it’s your significant others, your kids, your family, your pets, or some kind of food, something from pop culture, and so forth. While 33 characters is a lot, many vessel owners also choose to have a shorter name in general. The most important rule: make it fun, something you’ll like.
How to Change It
All of the above having been said, you may have gotten to the point in life where it’s time for a change, to give your vessel a different name. At our site, we make that easy. You can click on the “Change of Vessel Name or Hailing Port” and get the process done quickly. We know that not everyone wants to spend all day on these forms, so we’ve made the form mobile-optimized for a smoother, simpler process.
A Center for Maritime Documentation
To be clear, we didn’t just optimize the “Change of Vessel Name or Hailing Port” form for mobile; we optimized all of our forms for mobile. That way, no matter what you have to fill out, you can do it from anywhere and in a brief period of time. Moreover, our staff will be happy to help with any questions you might have. You could even call them and go through a form, line by line, so that you can get it done right the first time. To see what we offer, head to our site or call (800) 535-8570.