33 CFR § 173.51 - Applicability.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s173.51"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 173.51 - Applicability."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "173.51"
section_name: "Applicability."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "S"
subchapter_name: "BOATING SAFETY"
part_number: "173"
part_name: "VESSEL NUMBERING AND CASUALTY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 2110, 6101, 12301, 12302; OMB Circular A-25; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4."
regulatory_source: "CGD 72-54R, 37 FR 21399, Oct. 7, 1972, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "173"
---


# 173.51 Applicability.

(a) This subpart applies to each vessel operated on waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and on the high seas beyond the territorial seas for vessels owned in the United States that:

(1) Is operated by its operator for recreational purposes; or

(2) Is required to be numbered under this part.

(b) This subpart does not apply to a vessel subject to inspection under Title 46 U.S.C. Chapter 33.

[CDG 72-54R, 37 FR 21399, Oct. 7, 1972, as amended by CDG 84-099, 52 FR 47533, Dec. 14, 1987; USCG-2003-14963, 77 FR 18700, Mar. 28, 2012]