All newly constructed commercial fishing vessels must meet the following requirements depending on the vessels length

• 46 USC 4502(h) - Fishing vessels and Fish Tender vessels less than 50 feet overall in length built after July 1, 2010 that operates beyond 3 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline or 3nm from the coastline in the Great Lakes.
  • Shall be constructed in compliance with the recreational boating safety standards in 33 CFR Part 181 and 33 CFR Part 183 as applicable.
• 46 USC 4503(c)(1) - Fishing vessels and Fish Tender vessels 50 feet and greater and less than 79 feet overall in length built after July 1, 2013 to February 8, 2016 that operates beyond 3 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline or 3nm from the coastline in the Great Lakes or that carries more than 16 individuals on board, or in the case of a fish tender vessel engaged in the Aleutian trade.
  • Must be built and maintained to class rules by the ABS or similarly qualified organization accepted by the Coast Guard.
• 46 USC 4503(c)(2) - Fishing vessels and Fish Tender vessels 50 feet and greater and less than 79 feet overall in length built after February 8, 2016 that operates beyond 3 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline or 3nm from the coastline in the Great Lakes or that carries more than 16 individuals on board, or in the case of a fish tender vessel engaged in the Aleutian trade must comply with 46 USC 4503(e) (below) or the alternative requirements established by the Coast Guard (TBD).
  •     46 USC 4503(e) - Must be designed by a state licensed naval architect or marine engineer.
  •     The design must incorporate standards equivalent to a classification society accepted by the Coast Guard or another qualified organization approved by the Coast Guard.
  •     Construction must be overseen and certified in accordance with its design by a Marine Surveyor accepted by the Coast Guard.
  •     The vessel must complete a stability test.
  •        - Have written stability and loading instructions.
  •        - Be assigned a loading mark.
  •     Must not be substantially altered without review and approval of a state licensed naval architect or marine engineer.
  •     Vessel must undergo a condition survey twice in a 5 year period not to exceed 3 years between surveys.
  •     Vessel must undergo an out of the water survey at least once every 5 years.
  •     Maintenance records to demonstrate compliance with the above and make available to the Coast Guard upon request.
  46 USC 4503(a) - Fishing vessels and Fish Tender vessels 79 feet and greater overall in length built after July 1, 2013.
  • Must be built and maintained to class rules by the ABS or similarly qualified organization accepted by the Coast Guard.
• 46 USC 4503(b) - Fish Processing vessels built or that underwent or undergoes a major conversion after July 27, 1990,
  • Must be built and maintained to class rules by the ABS or similarly qualified organization accepted by the Coast Guard.
• 46 USC 4503(d)(5) - A Fishing vessel, Fish Tender vessel or Fish Processing vessel that was classed before July 1, 2012.
  • Must maintain class by the ABS or similarly qualified organization accepted by the Coast Guard, unless the service of the vessel will be inside 3nm from the territorial sea baseline and carry less than 16 individuals on board and in the case of a Fish Tender vessel will not engage in the Aleutian trade.

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