Vessel Identification Number (VIN) Law and Legal Definition
According to 46 CFR 2.10-25, vessel identification number (VIN) means “a U.S. official number, a number assigned by a State, a number assigned by the Coast Guard, or a Lloyd's Register of Shipping identification number issued to a U.S. or foreign commercial vessel for purposes of vessel identification. For U.S. vessels, VIN means the number listed on the Certificate of Inspection. For foreign vessels, VIN means either the Lloyd's Register of Shipping identification number or the number assigned by the Coast Guard.”