🔍 Key Concepts

• Vessel documentation requirements in the United States • Role of the U.S. Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) • Difference between a classification society and a government agency

💭 Think About

• Which of these choices is a federal law-enforcement and regulatory agency directly involved with vessel documentation? • Which organization on the list focuses mainly on setting construction and safety standards and issuing class certificates, rather than official federal identity numbers? • Think about where a vessel owner actually applies for federal documentation and what number appears on the Certificate of Documentation.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify which body issues the Certificate of Documentation and assigns the official number printed on it. • Confirm the primary function of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) versus U.S. government agencies. • Eliminate any options that are departments or offices that no longer have a direct role in individual vessel numbering/documentation.