A vessel must be at least how many net tons to be documented as a commercial operation?

To document a vessel for commercial operation, it is required that the vessel be at least 5 net tons. This threshold is established by the U.S. Coast Guard as part of the documentation process, which provides legal recognition of the vessel for various purposes, including the ability to engage in trade and navigate in U.S. waters.

The documentation requirements help ensure that vessels meet certain safety and operational standards. Meeting the minimum tonnage requirement allows vessel owners to access benefits associated with documentation, such as coastwise trade privileges and the ability to obtain a vessel’s title.

In this context, the other thresholds, such as 10 net tons, 15 net tons, and 20 net tons, exceed the established minimum requirement and are therefore not applicable for initial documentation as a commercial vessel. This clarity around the tonnage requirement helps streamline the process for operators looking to legally document their vessels.