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46 U.S.C. § 12501 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 46. Shipping § 12501. Establishment of a vessel identification system

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a vessel identification system to make available information under section 12503 of this title for use by the public for law enforcement and other purposes relating to--

(1) the ownership of documented vessels;

(2) the ownership of vessels numbered under chapter 123 of this title; and

(3) the ownership of vessels titled under the law of a State.

(b) The vessel identification system shall include information prescribed by the Secretary including--

(1) identifying a vessel;

(2) identifying the owner of the vessel, including--

(A) the owner's social security number or, if that number is not available, other means of identification acceptable to the Secretary; or

(B) for an owner other than an individual--

(i) the owner's taxpayer identification number; or

(ii) if the owner does not have a taxpayer identification number, the social security number of an individual who is a corporate officer, general partner, or individual trustee of the owner and who signed the application for documentation or numbering for the vessel;

(3) identifying the State in which it is titled or numbered;

(4) indicating whether the vessel is numbered or titled, or both;

(5) if titled in a State, indicating where evidence of a lien or other security interest may be found against the vessel in that State; and

(6) information assisting law enforcement officials.

(c) The Secretary may maintain information under this chapter in connection with any other information system maintained by the Secretary.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - 46 U.S.C. § 12501 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 46. Shipping § 12501. Establishment of a vessel identification system - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-46-shipping/46-usc-sect-12501/

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