33 CFR § 181.23 - Hull identification numbers required.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s181.23"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 181.23 - Hull identification numbers required."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "181.23"
section_name: "Hull identification numbers required."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "S"
subchapter_name: "BOATING SAFETY"
part_number: "181"
part_name: "MANUFACTURER REQUIREMENTS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "46 U.S.C. 4302; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4."
regulatory_source: "CGD 72-60, 37 FR 15779, Aug. 4, 1972, unless otherwise noted."
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 of this subpart.

(b) A person who manufactures 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 listed in 33 CFR part 173, appendix A for the boat's State of principal operation and permanently affix the HIN to the boat in accordance with § 181.29 of this subpart.

(c) No person may assign the same HIN to more than one boat.

[USCG-2003-14963, 77 FR 18703, Mar. 28, 2012]