# 50 C.F.R. § 300.108 (2026): Vessel and gear identification > Federal · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_108 ## Section - **Citation:** 50 C.F.R. § 300.108 (2026) - **Heading:** Vessel and gear identification - **Jurisdiction:** Federal - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Title 50 CFR: Wildlife and Fisheries / Chapter III: INTERNATIONAL FISHING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES / Part 300: INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES REGULATIONS / Subpart G: Antarctic Marine Living Resources / § 300.108: § 300.108 Vessel and gear identification. ## Text (a) Vessel identification. (1) A vessel issued a permit under this subpart must be marked with the vessel's name and its International Radio Call Sign (IRCS) amidships on both the port and starboard sides of the superstructure or hull, so that it is visible at all times from an enforcement or inspection vessel. Fixtures inclined at an angle to the vessel's side or superstructure would be considered as suitable provided that the angle of inclination would not prevent sighting of the IRCS from another vessel or from the air. The vessel's IRCS shall also be marked on the deck. Should an awning or other temporary cover be placed so as to obscure the mark on the deck, the awning or cover shall also be marked with the IRCS. The marks should be placed athwartship with the top of the numbers or letters towards the bow. (2) Boats, skiffs and craft carried by the vessel for fishing operations shall bear the same mark as the vessel, except that a numerical suffix specific for the boat, skiff, or craft must follow the IRCS. (3) The vessel identification must be in a color in contrast to the background and must be permanently affixed to the vessel in block Roman alphabet letters and Arabic numerals using good quality marine paints. The letters and numbers shall be: At least 1 meter in height (h) for the IRCS placed on the hull, superstructure and/or inclined surfaces and at least 0.3 meter for marks placed on deck. The length of the hyphen shall be half the height of the letters and numbers. The width of the stroke for all letters, numbers and the hyphen shall be h/6. The space between letters and/or numbers shall not exceed h/4 nor be less than h/6. The space between adjacent letters having sloping sides ( e.g., A and V) shall not exceed h/8 nor be less than h/10. If a contrasting color is used for the background of the marks, it shall extend to provide a border around the mark of at least h/6. (4) The marks and the background shall be maintained in good condition at all times. letters and/or numbers shall not exceed h/4 nor be less than h/6. The space between adjacent letters having sloping sides ( e.g., A and V) shall not exceed h/8 nor be less than h/10. If a contrasting color is used for the background of the marks, it shall extend to provide a border around the mark of at least h/6. (4) The marks and the background shall be maintained in good condition at all times. (b) Navigational lights and shapes. Each vessel issued a vessel permit must display the lights and shapes prescribed by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (TIAS 8587, and 1981 amendment TIAS 10672), for the activity in which the harvesting vessel is engaged (as described at 33 CFR part 81). (c) Gear identification. (1) The operator of each fishing vessel must ensure that all deployed fishing gear is clearly marked at all times at the surface with a buoy displaying the vessel identification of the harvesting vessel (see paragraph (a) of this section) to which the gear belongs, a light visible for 2 miles at night in good visibility, and a radio buoy. (2) The operator of each harvesting vessel must ensure that deployed longlines and strings of traps or pots, and gillnets are clearly marked at all times at the surface at each terminal end with a buoy displaying the vessel identification of the harvesting vessel to which the gear belongs (see paragraph (a) of this section), a light visible for 2 miles at night in good visibility, and a radio buoy. (3) Unmarked or incorrectly identified fishing gear may be considered abandoned and may be disposed of in accordance with applicable CCAMLR Conservation Measures in force with respect to the United States by any authorized officer or CCAMLR inspector. ing vessel to which the gear belongs (see paragraph (a) of this section), a light visible for 2 miles at night in good visibility, and a radio buoy. (3) Unmarked or incorrectly identified fishing gear may be considered abandoned and may be disposed of in accordance with applicable CCAMLR Conservation Measures in force with respect to the United States by any authorized officer or CCAMLR inspector. (d) Maintenance. The operator of each vessel issued a vessel permit must: (1) Keep the vessel and gear identification clearly legible and in good condition at all times; (2) Ensure that nothing on the vessel obstructs the view of the markings from an enforcement or inspection vessel or aircraft; and (3) Ensure that the proper navigational lights and shapes are displayed for the vessel's activity and are properly functioning. ## Nearby sections - [50 C.F.R. § 300.100 (2026) § 300.100 Purpose and scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_100.md) - [50 C.F.R. § 300.101 (2026) § 300.101 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_101.md) - [50 C.F.R. § 300.102 (2026) § 300.102 Relationship to other treaties, conventions, laws, and regulations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_102.md) - [50 C.F.R. § 300.103 (2026) § 300.103 Scientific research.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_103.md) - [50 C.F.R. § 300.104 (2026) § 300.104 International Fisheries Trade Permits and AMLR first receiver permits.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_104.md) - [50 C.F.R. § 300.105 (2026) § 300.105 Preapproval for importation of frozen Dissostichus species.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_105.md) - [50 C.F.R. § 300.106 (2026) § 300.106 Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS): Documentation and other requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_106.md) - [50 C.F.R. § 300.107 (2026) § 300.107 Vessel permits and requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_107.md) - [50 C.F.R. § 300.108 (2026) § 300.108 Vessel and gear identification.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_108.md) - [50 C.F.R. § 300.109 (2026) § 300.109 Initiating a new fishery.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_109.md) - [50 C.F.R. § 300.110 (2026) § 300.110 Exploratory fisheries.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_110.md) - [50 C.F.R. § 300.111 (2026) § 300.111 Scientific observers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_111.md) - [50 C.F.R. § 300.112 (2026) § 300.112 Vessel monitoring system.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_112.md) - [50 C.F.R. § 300.113 (2026) § 300.113 CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program sites.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_113.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P300_S300_108. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.