46 CFR § 68.100 - Purpose and applicability.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s68.100"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 68.100 - Purpose and applicability."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "68.100"
section_name: "Purpose and applicability."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "G"
subchapter_name: "DOCUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT OF VESSELS"
part_number: "68"
part_name: "DOCUMENTATION OF VESSELS: EXCEPTIONS TO COASTWISE QUALIFICATION"
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. 3306, 3703, 8105; sec. 617, Pub. L. 111-281, 124 Stat. 2905; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4."
regulatory_source: "CGD 80-107, 47 FR 27511, June 24, 1982, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "68"
---


# 68.100 Purpose and applicability.

(a) This subpart contains requirements for the documentation of U.S.-built vessels in the coastwise trade that were granted special rights under the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Action of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-293).

(b) This subpart applies to—

(1) A vessel under a demise charter that was eligible for, and received, a document with a coastwise endorsement under § 67.19 of this chapter and 46 U.S.C. 12106(e) before August 9, 2004;

(2) A barge deemed eligible under 46 U.S.C. 12106(e) and 12110(b) to operate in coastwise trade without being documented before August 9, 2004; and

(3) A replacement vessel of a similar size and function for any vessel under paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section.

(c) Except for vessels under paragraph (d) of this section, this subpart applies to a certificate of documentation, or renewal of one, endorsed with a coastwise endorsement for a vessel under 46 U.S.C. 12106(e) or a replacement vessel of a similar size and function that was issued before August 9, 2004, as long as the vessel is owned by the person named in the certificate, or by a subsidiary or affiliate of that person, and the controlling interest in the owner has not been transferred to a person that was not an affiliate of the owner as of August 9, 2004.

(d) With respect to offshore supply vessels with a certificate of documentation endorsed with a coastwise endorsement as of August 9, 2004, this subpart applies until August 9, 2007. On and after August 9, 2007, subpart C of this part applies to these vessels.