Where is the official identification of a vessel found?

The official identification of a vessel is primarily found in the certificate of documentation. This document serves as proof that a vessel is registered with the United States Coast Guard and contains essential information such as the vessel's name, hailing port, official number, and description. It also shows legal ownership and compliance with regulations for operating a documented vessel on navigable waters in the U.S.

While vessel registration and port authority filings are also pertinent for identifying a vessel, they do not serve as the official documentation recognized by the federal government. The shipping manifest, on the other hand, is related to the cargo aboard the vessel and is not used as a form of official identification for the vessel itself. Thus, the certificate of documentation stands out as the primary source of a vessel's official identification.