§ 130.3 - General.

(a) No vessel shall use any port or place in, or the navigable waters of, the United States, unless that vessel has a Certificate covering that vessel and its operator.

(b) The gross tonnage of a vessel is the tonnage indicated in the vessel's Certificate of Registry or, in the absence thereof, other marine documents acceptable to the Coast Guard.

(c) If a vessel has more than one gross tonnage, the higher tonnage applies unless the vessel operator states in writing that the vessel never operates in any United States waters under such higher tonnage.