| ACCEPTANCE OF 22 AWG WIRE IN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AS EQUIVALENT TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOUND IN 33 CFR 183.425 | This policy letter sets the conditions for the acceptable use of wire gauge smaller 18
AWG as specified in Reference (b) in powered communication backbone systems such as
NMEA 2000. | 25-02 |
| ACCEPTANCE OF REQUIREMENTS FOUND IN ABYC H-24, GASOLINE (PETROL) FUEL SYSTEMS, AS EQUIVALENT TO REQUIREMENTS FOUND IN 33 CFR 183.566 | This policy letter accepts, in accordance with conditions provided here, a substitution (applicable to certain pump-in-tank fuel systems) for the requirement, in ref (b), that a fuel pump (other than a pump used to transfer fuel between tanks) be on or within 12 inches of the engine it serves. | 25-01 |
| ADOPTION OF SAE AND ISO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT STANDARDS AS EQUIVALENT TO 33 CFR SUBCHAPTER S | This policy letter provides guidance for manufacturers of personal watercraft (PWC) to use references (c) through (i) or reference (j) as alternative methods of compliance that provide an equivalent level of safety to the requirements found in 33 CFR part 183. | 23-07 |
| CHANGE 1 TO REQUIREMENTS FOR MECHANICALLY PROPELLED PERSONAL HYDROFOILS (EFOILS) AND MECHANICALLY PROPELLED SURFBOARDS (JETBOARDS) | This policy letter cancels reference (a), which was incorrectly numbered, and it also updates the content of the original letter with the renaming of Mechanically Propelled Surfboards, which were Motorized Surfboards in reference (a). This letter provides guidance on requirements for Mechanically Propelled Personal Hydrofoils, (MPPH, which are also known as eFoils and electric hydrofoils) and Mechanically Propelled Surfboards (MPS, which are also known as jetboards). | 22-02 CH1 |
| COMPLIANCE GUIDANCE FOR HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (HINs) | This policy provides guidance to state issuing authorities, recreational vessel manufacturers and law enforcement officers on all aspects of recreational vessel hull identification numbers (HINs), including what vessels require HINs, HIN format, and state assigned HINs. | |
| DEFECT NOTIFICATION | This policy letter provides guidance for the notification of defects in recreational boats and associated equipment. | 25-03 |
| Definition of Canoes and Kayaks | This policy establishes regulatory compliance guidance for the classification of vessels as canoes or kayaks. | 23-06 |
| POLICY REGARDING HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS FOR PADDLEBOARDS AND KITEBOARDS | The U.S. Coast Guard, Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety, under the authority granted by reference (a), may issue an exemption from a regulation prescribed under 46 U.S.C. §4305 so long as it is determined that recreational vessel safety will not be adversely affected. This policy is providing such an exemption regarding 33 CFR Part l 81, Subpart C, specific to hull identification numbers for paddleboards and kiteboards that are solely human or wind propelled. | |
| Recreational Boat Exemptions & Equivalencies | This policy letter provides guidance for the issuance of exemptions from, or equivalencies to, boating safety requirements promulgated by or under the authority of 46 USC 43. | 22-01 |
| Safe Loading, Safe Powering and Flotation Compliance Guidance for Electrically Powered Recreational Vessels | This policy establishes regulatory compliance guidance for
recreational vessels less than 20 feet in length that use batteries to power their primary propulsion. This document provides consistent guidance for the design, inspection, and/or testing of recreational vessels using batteries to power their primary propulsion. | 22-02 |
| Safe Powering, Safe Loading and Flotation Test Procedure Manual For Outboard Powered Boats More Than Two Horsepower | This test procedure manual is intended to be an instructional guide as well as a resource document. It describes how to verify compliance with the requirements specified in selected subparts of 33 CFR Part
183, Boats and Associated Equipment | |
| U.S. Coast Guard Reference Guide for Importers of Recreational Boats | Thank you for contacting the U.S. Coast Guard for information about importing recreational boats into the United States. For boats manufactured outside of the United States, the manufacturer is required to use an importer based in the U.S., and that importer must obtain a manufacturer identification code (MIC) from the U.S. Coast Guard as required by 33 CFR 181.31. | |
| U.S. Coast Guard Reference Guide for Recreational Boat Builders | Thank you for contacting the U.S. Coast Guard about obtaining a Manufacturers Identification Code (MIC). MICs are required for all manufacturers of recreational boats for sale in the United States and are issued at no cost by the Coast Guard’s Office of Auxiliary & Boating Safety. | |
| USCG ACCEPTANCE OF NAVIGATION LIGHTS MEETING AMERICAN BOAT AND YACHT COUNCIL (ABYC) STANDARD ABYC C-5 | This policy letter provides guidance for USCG acceptance of navigation lights constructed to the ABYC C-5 standard following ownership transfer of UL 1104 to ABYC. | 01-25 |
| Vessels Powered by Personal Watercraft | This memo answers questions concerning “combination” vessels (i.e., a traditional boat hull powered by a personal watercraft or PWC). In the past these vessels have been marketed under the names “Shuttle Craft” and “Windjet” and are currently marketed under the name “Wave Boat.” | |