Are you aware that every vessel has a unique code given to it, known as the Hull Identification Number(HIN)? A Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a 12-digit number, an alphanumeric combination.
This number contains all the essential information regarding the boat owner and the boat manufacturer. The authorities encode this number to provide additional encryption and secure the data.
This number is necessary that every boat must have, as it is a vessel’s unique identity. You can decode this HIN/HULL number and run it in the system to get all the necessary information that you require for any ship with proper legal orders.
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An In-Depth Study Of This Number –
Every boat is assigned a unique number, which acts as its identity. This unique 12-digit long number has no spaces in between its alphanumeric code.
This number needs to be decoded before running it in the system. The port authorities and the department of vehicular registration and regulation do this to protect the owner’s and the manufacturer’s privacy.
Every vessel manufactured after the year 1972 necessarily requires this number. The authorities can seize the unregistered ships, so every new boat owner must go to the vehicle regulations department to get this number as soon as possible.
Officers also use this number to track your history to get all the necessary details and verify if you have a track record of any violation of the rules.
This number is significant in stopping all malicious and criminal activities ongoing on the vessel. Therefore, all the ships must be registered and have the Hull Identification Number(HIN) assigned.
Where Is This Number Located?
It is both effortless and tedious to locate this number on your boat. This number is present in two positions on the vessel, one is the primary location, which is on the starboard, and the second location is a hidden one and is only known to the manufacturers.
Manufacturers engrave this number near the starboard transom’s right side on most commercial boats.
In some specific cases, the Hull identification number can also be present on the aft crossbeam near the starboard hull attachment.
Meanwhile, the second number is usually hidden beneath the ship’s fittings in the boat’s interiors. If you do not find it there, then you should contact the manufacturer for its location.
The number must be either embossed, engraved, burned, or bonded onto the starboard. In case of any destruction to the hull identification number, you need to get this number printed on a separate plate and attach it to the boat.
It should be readable and can only be removed by damaging the hull.
Decoding The Hull Identification Number –
You need to decode the hull identification number before running it to get the necessary information about any vessel.
The encoded number gives information about the manufacturer, the Hull serial number, and the ship’s manufacturing date. Manufacturers did two types of encodings based upon the time of manufacturing of the vessel.
The first encoding method is valid for the vessel manufactured from 1972 to 1984. In this method, you break the number into three essential parts.
These parts declare the manufacturer’s identification code (MIC), Hull number, and manufacturing date.
Meanwhile, the second encryption criteria apply to the vessel made after 1984. In this method, you break the number into four parts.
They decrypt the MIC of the manufacturer, the serial number of the ship, the month and date of the manufacturing, and the year of manufacturing, respectively.
Checking A Hull Identification Number –
You must surely be wondering how to check a Hull identification number? It is not as exasperating as it seems, and anyone can complete the entire process without a hassle.
Someone requires an internet connection and a hull number to get all the details. Various sites can check the hull identification number and run it across the different databases.
These sites verify the boat’s track record and look for a violation of the rules and guidelines if any.
At such sites, you need to type in the correct hull number and hit search to get all the valid details without the hassle of going to the office of the vehicle regulations department.
Essentials Of Your HIN Check?
You must be wondering how they cross-verify your hull identification number and how they perform these checks.
These checks are verified with all the registered reports or accidental reports of either the police and port authorities or insurance companies.
If the match is confirmed, it shows the results and the problem in the hull registration. These are the various background check:
- Checks for boat accidents
- Incidents related to pollution
- Validation of the Duration
- Auctioned Vessels
- Boat Recalls
- Estimating the entire loss
- Auctioned Vessels
- Canadian registration, if available.
- Theft Check United States & International
- United States Documentation Numbers
- Manufacturer Data Validation
- Validation of the vessel’s HIN
- Abandonment or Misappropriation
- Lien databases
- USA Registration only if available
- Claims & State Issued HINs
- USA Documentation Numbers
- Full HIN Decoder & Boat-Value
- Cross Checking Of Official numbers
Who can do this background?
It is evident to ask who can do a background check on your hull identification number and on what legal grounds? Well, the answer is a simple one. Only you and the legal authorities can do this background check on your HIN. In most states, the legal authorities can only check your HIN under suspicious and malicious activities pretense. This is the case in most provinces depending on vehicle regulation and the department’s legal guidelines.