Understanding the reasons for and the importance of accurately reading and reporting the HIN of a small craft by Geoff Waddington, IIMS President.


I am aware (and it is apparent) that even after 23 years in existence some marine surveyors still do not fully understand what a Hull Identification Number (HIN) is and how to interpret what is shows. Some Hull Identification Numbers are not being recorded accurately. One of the common mistakes made is recording the year of manufacture correctly. I cannot stress enough the importance of the correct recording being made of a vessel’s particulars.


There are several very important pieces of information.


For small craft surveyors it is a basic requirement within a survey that the vessel’s Hull Identification Number (HIN), or Craft Identification Number (CIN) and even a Watercraft Identification Number (WIN), is accurately recorded.


A vessel’s identification number is basically the same as a VIN (Vehicle Identification number). All cars and light commercial vehicles built after 1981 should have a unique 17-character number, which provides access to valuable information about that vehicle’s history.


A vessel’s Hull Identification Number provides a 14-character unique vessel identifier code this identifies the country of origin, the builder, the model and, of course, records the year of manufacture. The importance of recording this information on the vessel’s registration, title documents and all the vessel’s documentation cannot be overstated. My advice is always check the vessel’s paperwork, if available, to ensure that the correct numbers are recorded.


The small craft Hull Identification Number is defined in the CE RCD/Recreational Craft Directive and was applied to all craft moulded in 1998, in addition to some in preparation for the impending legislation (June 16th


1998), which may have had Hull Identification Numbers applied as early as 1997 and even 1996.


The format of a Hull Identification Number is required to be in accordance with ISO 10087.95 as follows:


GB – GBB Y3101 J 3 04 GB (Country Code) GBB (Builder’s Identification Code) Y3101 (Model Y3 and serial number of the boat 101)


J (Month of Manufacture) (October – Tenth letter of the Alphabet and Tenth month) 3 (Year of build 2003)


04 (Model Year 2004). Vessels built after June of one year are often built to next year’s design.


You may possibly find some interesting numbers, such as GB-GBB Y3101 J 0 98 which refers to a vessel built in 2000 to a 1998 design.


According to the ISO (the following extract text in italics is a quotation) “the HIN shall be carved, burned, embossed, moulded or otherwise permanently affixed, so that alteration, removal, or replacement will be obvious. If on a plate, the plate shall be fastened- excluding screwing or riveting as sole means of fastening so that removal will cause scarring to the surrounding area.”


“The CIN shall be visible on the starboard outboard side of the transom, or near the stern within 50 mm of the transom top, gunwale, hull/deck joint or its capping, whichever is lowest.


• 5.3.1 On craft with a transom, the CIN shall be located on the starboard side of the transom.


• 5.3.2 On craft without a transom or with a transom on which it is impractical to locate the CIN, the CIN shall be affixed within 300 mm of the stern.


• 5.3.3 On catamarans the CIN shall be located as follows.


• Hulls structurally permanently connected: on the starboard hull.


• Hulls detachable but regarded as the primary structure: on both hulls.


• Hulls readily removable and/or replaceable: on the aft cross-beam within 300 mm of the starboard hull; this also applies to catamaran- type pontoon boats.


• 5.3.4 On trimarans the CIN shall be located on the centre hull in accordance with 5.3.1 or 5.3.2.


The CIN shall be affixed to the craft during the construction or assembly of the craft. In no case shall the craft be put on the market without the CIN being affixed.”


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