MoU on recreational vessels and Notices of Arrival in the US

The document was published on 21 June 2023.

U.S. Recreational Vessels

U.S. flagged recreational vessels are exempt from submitting Notices of Arrival in accordance with 33 CFR 160.202 (b).

Foreign flagged recreational vessels arriving in the Coast Guard’s Seventh District (South Carolina, Georgia, most of Florida, Caribbean) must submit NOAs regardless of tonnage. This is in accordance with 33 CFR 160.203 (b)(1).
Foreign flagged recreational vessels arriving in any other area of the United States must submit NOAs if they are above 300 gross tons, in accordance with 33 CFR 160.203(b)(1).

Recreational vessel as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101 means a vessel being manufactured or operated primarily for pleasure; or leased, rented, or chartered to another for the latter's pleasure but excludes "passenger vessels" and "small passenger vessels" as defined by 46 U.S.C. 2101 (22) and (35) and excludes vessels used solely for competition.
Foreign vessel as defined in 46 U.S.C 2101 means a vessel of foreign registry or operated under the authority of a country except the United States. This definition does not include foreign nationals that own a U.S. flagged vessel nor does this definition include foreign-built vessels that are flagged in the United States.

Vessels operating within one Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone (and not carrying dangerous cargo) do not have to submit NOAs while operating within that zone. For example, assuming a foreign flagged recreational vessel, if you have arrived in Miami with a NOA, you may operate within the Miami Captain of the Port Zone without submitting a NOA. It is only when you leave the Miami Zone and proceed to a different Zone that a new NOA would be required. This is in accordance with 33 CFR 160.203 (b) (2).
A vessel can request a waiver in accordance with 33 CFR 160.214. The COTP may waive any of the requirements of this subpart for any vessel or class of vessels upon finding that the application of this subpart is impractical for the purpose of safety, environmental protection, or national security. Vessels may contact their COTP directly for waivers.
These are the national requirements. For regional or local information one should contact the local Coast Guard unit.

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