HIN Validation and Verification learning module.

1. Hull Identification Number
Validation/Verification

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. § 181.29 Hull identification number display
Two 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.

5. § 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.

6. Since November 1, 1972 there has
been three hull identification number
formats.
1. Straight Year Format
2. Model Year Format
3. Current Format

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

8. Straight Year Format

9. ** NO CONFIDENTIAL HIN WAS ASSIGNED DURING THIS PERIOD
Model Year

10. Model Year Format

11. Current HIN Format

12. Current Year Format Example

13. 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

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

15. 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:

16. Manufacturer Identification Code
(MIC)
http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic1.aspx

17. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. An 11-character HIN on plastic kayak
DKJN364A707

24. This is why Ohio asks for a picture
instead of a pencil tracing on a Harris
11620
stamped
11620
stamped
printed printed

25. 2005 Coleman Inflatable, 13-character HIN
CNP119763C505
See next slide

26. Confidential HIN for the 2005 Coleman
Slide 2

27. 1973 Chrysler with a Serial No. and a HIN
After research, correct HIN is CBC187991273
1273

28. YM W L 0 2 4 4 L
1988 American Fiber-Lite canoe sold by Sears
MYWL0244L788
See next slide
The HINs on American Fiber-Lite canoes
with a Sears capacity plate are usually
very hard to read.

29. PORT
Engine #’s
STBD
Hull ID No.
John Allmand Boats
Model
Date
STG-300
See Next Slide

30. Same boat as previous picture
John 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

31. 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.

32. 1973 Snark
SNAM31917302
Stamped backwards
should be 0273

33. 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

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

35. Boat assigned TWO different HINs.
OAL00134D595
OUI01445G494

36. 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.

37. 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

38. FRUZ0040B101
Tracked HIN by Wisconsin ghost boat
number WS 4676 GD. Boat came out
of salvage yard in Indiana.

39. 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.

40. Questions?
Comments?