I've seen both ways. Mine is the port we hail from

 

Actually, you can put any city and state you choose in the US. Key West, Dallas, NYC...anywhere.

 

The only requirement is that the name chosen be a location mail could be delivered to. For example, Hollywood, CA works, Tinseltown, CA does not (unless there really is a Tinseltown).

Henry

 

Just to be on the safe side I would contact your local CG office and confirm what has to be displayed. From what I recall, it's the home port (where the vessel is actually docked).

 

Here is the USCG Regulation (available on-line). Per section c; The hailing port needs to be the state or US territory where the vessel is located:


Title 46--Shipping ​

CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PART 67--DOCUMENTATION OF VESSELS

§ ​

​

​

​

67.119 Hailing port designation.​

(a) Upon application for any Certificate
of Documentation in accordance
with subpart K of this part, the owner
of a vessel must designate a hailing
port to be marked upon the vessel.
(b) The hailing port must be a place
in the United States included in the
U.S. Department of Commerce​

​

​

​

’s Federal
Information Processing Standards
Publication 55DC.
(c) The hailing port must include the
State, territory, or possession in which
it is located.
(d) The Director, National Vessel
Documentation Center has final authority
to settle disputes as to the propriety
of the hailing port designated.
(e) Until such time as the vessel
owner elects to designate a new hailing
port, the provisions of paragraph (c) of
this section do not apply to vessels
which were issued a Certificate of Documentation​

before July 1, 1982.

 

Try the county/city with lower taxes!
Mike

 

I wish that worked!!! lol

My hailing port is Gig Harbor, WA which is where I grew up. But the boat resides in Colonial Beach, VA. It raises a few questions from a few people, but is legal.

 

One issue that that has not been idscussed is changing the hailing port. With a documented boat this can be a hassle. As I recall a friend of ours who did it could not use the boat (legally) for a period of 15-30 days while the port change worked its way thorugh the system. So make your decision to a port you will want to stick with.

 

But, the owners mailing address for renewals is easily changed by just entering a new mailing address on the form at renewal time.