# 46 C.F.R. § 68.60 (2026): Eligibility of a vessel for a coastwise endorsement under this subpart

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P68_S68_60

## Section

- **Citation:** 46 C.F.R. § 68.60 (2026)
- **Heading:** Eligibility of a vessel for a coastwise endorsement under this subpart
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 46 CFR: Shipping / Chapter I: COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY / Part 68: DOCUMENTATION OF VESSELS: EXCEPTIONS TO COASTWISE QUALIFICATION / Subpart C: Vessels With a Coastwise Endorsement Issued on or After August 9, 2004, That Are Demised Chartered to Coastwise Qualified Citizens / § 68.60: § 68.60   Eligibility of a vessel for a coastwise endorsement under this subpart.

## Text

(a) To be eligible for a coastwise endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 12106(e) and to operate in coastwise trade under 46 U.S.C. 12106(e) and 12110(b), a vessel must meet the following:
(1) The vessel is eligible for documentation under 46 U.S.C. 12102.
(2) The vessel is eligible for a coastwise endorsement under § 67.19(c) of this chapter and has not lost coastwise eligibility under § 67.19(d) of this chapter.
(3) The person that owns the vessel (or, if the vessel is owned by a trust or similar arrangement, the beneficiary of the trust or similar arrangement) makes the certification in § 68.65.
(4) The person that owns the vessel has transferred to a qualified U.S. citizen under 46 U.S.C. app. 802 full possession, control, and command of the vessel through a demise charter in which the demise charterer is considered the owner
pro hac vice
during the term of the charter.
(5) The charterer must certify to the Director, National Vessel Documentation Center, that the charterer is a citizen of the United States for engaging in the coastwise trade under 46 U.S.C. app. 802.
(6) The demise charter is for a period of at least 3 years, unless a shorter period is authorized by the Director, National Vessel Documentation Center, under circumstances such as—
(i) When the vessel's remaining life would not support a charter of 3 years; or
(ii) To preserve the use or possession of the vessel.
(b) To apply for a coastwise endorsement for a vessel under a demise charter, see § 68.70 and, for a barge, see § 68.75.
Note to § 68.60:
Section 608(b) of Public Law 108-293 provides special requirements for certain vessels in the Alaska trade.

## Nearby sections

- [46 C.F.R. § 68.50 (2026) § 68.50   Purpose and applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P68_S68_50.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 68.55 (2026) § 68.55   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P68_S68_55.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 68.60 (2026) § 68.60   Eligibility of a vessel for a coastwise endorsement under this subpart.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P68_S68_60.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 68.65 (2026) § 68.65   Annual ownership certification.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P68_S68_65.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 68.70 (2026) § 68.70   Application procedure for vessels other than barges to be operated in coastwise trade without being documented.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P68_S68_70.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 68.75 (2026) § 68.75   Application procedure for barges to be operated in coastwise trade without being documented.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P68_S68_75.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 68.80 (2026) § 68.80   Invalidation of a coastwise endorsement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P68_S68_80.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P68_S68_60. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.