§ 12501. Establishment of a vessel identification system

• (a) The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a vessel identification system to make available information under section 12503 of this title for use by the public for law enforcement and other purposes relating to—
  • (1) the ownership of documented vessels;
  • (2) the ownership of vessels numbered under chapter 123 of this title; and
  • (3) the ownership of vessels titled under the law of a State.
• (b) The vessel identification system shall include information prescribed by the Secretary including—
  • (1) identifying a vessel;
  • (2) identifying the owner of the vessel, including—
    • (A) the owner’s social security number or, if that number is not available, other means of identification acceptable to the Secretary; or
    • (B) for an owner other than an individual—
      • (i) the owner’s taxpayer identification number; or
      • (ii) if the owner does not have a taxpayer identification number, the social security number of an individual who is a corporate officer, general partner, or individual trustee of the owner and who signed the application for documentation or numbering for the vessel;
  • (3) identifying the State in which it is titled or numbered;
  • (4) indicating whether the vessel is numbered or titled, or both;
  • (5) if titled in a State, indicating where evidence of a lien or other security interest may be found against the vessel in that State; and
  • (6) information assisting law enforcement officials.
• (c) The Secretary may maintain information under this chapter in connection with any other information system maintained by the Secretary.