ALCOAST 435/24 - NOV 2024 DIGITAL CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER FOR VESSELS

R 181555Z NOV 24   MID120001556216U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 435/24
SSIC 16247
SUBJ: DIGITAL CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER FOR VESSELS
A. 46 U.S.C. Section 12304
B. U.S. Coast Guard Boarding Officer Job Aid Kit (BOJAK)
Edition F, February 2020
1. This ALCOAST announces the requirements for a Certificate of
Number (CON) for vessels to allow any CON to be carried in hard
copy or digital form while operating recreational vessels
and enforcement guidance for Boarding Officers.
2. Background.
    a. Section 11506 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Pub. L. 117-263,
December 23, 2022) (NDAA 2023) amended 46 U.S.C. 12304 to permit
any CON "in hard copy or digital form," while retaining the prior
requirement that any certificates issued in hard copy under this
section be "pocket-sized." This amendment, effective immediately,
allows boaters to choose to carry a digital CON (eCON). A digital
picture or other digital form as approved by the state is allowed.
This applies to all state-registered vessels. 33 CFR Sections 173
and 174 have been amended to reflect this change.
    b. Under 14 U.S.C. 503, and 49 CFR 1.46(b) Subpart 1.08 -
Boarding Officers are authorized to issue written warnings
for non-compliance.
3. Enforcement postures.
    a. All state-registered boat operators must have a Certificate
of Number on Board while operating that is in either digital or
hard copy format. A digital picture or other digital form as allowed
by the state is authorized.
    b. Written warnings will be issued for Certificates of Number and
education should be used to increase public awareness of the new
requirements.
4. Effective immediately, REF (B) will be updated as
follows.
    a. Recreational Vessel Regulations sections will be amended
regarding CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER: 46 U.S.C. 12304(a) The certificate
shall be pocket-sized, shall be at all times available for
inspection on the vessel for which issued when the vessel is in
operation, and may be in hard copy or digital form. Any certificate
issued in hard copy under this section shall be pocket-sized.
    b. 33 CFR 173.21(a) The certificate shall be valid for not more
than 3 years. Except as provided in Sections 173.13 and 173.17, no
person may operate a vessel to which this part applies unless it
has on board in hard copy or digital form.
    c. 33 CFR 174.25 Each certificate of number must be in hard
copy or digital form. Any certificate issued in hard copy
under this section must be pocket-sized.
5. Additional Information.
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/06/04/2024-
12201/digital-certificate-of-number-for-state-numbered-
vessels

6. Points of Contact.
    a. COMDT (CG-MLEA), CDR Tony Gregg, (843) 746-0838 or
Tony.L.Gregg@uscg.mil.
    b. COMDT (CG-BSX-2), Mr. Thomas Guess, (206) 815-0221 or
Thomas.E.Guess@uscg.mil.
    c. COMDT (CG-BSX-2), Mr. Brian Moore, (571) 613-2728 or
Brian.M.Moore@uscg.mil.
7. RADM Wayne Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention
Policy (CG-5P), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.