Form CG-5397 (10/17) CG-5397 (10/17) Application for Simplified Measurement

Reset Form Print Form
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Coast Guard
APPLICATION FOR SIMPLIFIED MEASUREMENT

OMB No: 1625-0022

I. APPLICABILITY
A U.S. flag vessel is eligible to be measured under the Simplified system (46 CFR 69 subpart E) if it is either: 1) less than 79 feet in overall length; or 2)
a non-self-propelled or recreational vessel. Some vessels that are 79 feet or more in overall length may also require measurement under the Convention
system (46 CFR 69 subpart B). This includes vessels that engage on foreign voyages, as well as recreational vessels that engage on voyages outside
the Great Lakes and have keel laid dates after December 31, 1985. Refer to 46 CFR 69.11 for complete measurement eligibility details.

II. VESSEL DATA
1. VESSEL NAME_____________________________________________
2. HULL ID NO.______________________________________________
(also provide official number, if available)

3. HULL MATERIAL:
Wood

Steel

Fibrous Reinforced Plastic
(e.g., fiberglass)

Aluminum

Concrete

Other _____________________

7. ADDITIONAL DIMENSIONS FOR LARGE DECK STRUCTURES:
(Complete only if the volume of the principal deckhouse, cabin or
similar structure above the main deck exceeds the hull volume)
Structure Length (LS) =

__________ft

_______in

Structure Breadth (BS) =

__________ft

_______in

Structure Depth (DS) =

__________ft

_______in

LS

4. PROPULSION MACHINERY:

BS

Principal
Structure

DS

Located inside hull (e.g., inboard engine or stern drive)
Hull

Located entirely outside hull (e.g., outboard motor)

8. ADDITIONAL DIMENSION FOR TWIN HULL VESSELS:

Non-self-propelled (not fitted with any propulsion machinery)

5. SHAPE OF HULL(S): (for tri-hull vessels, check the block best
describing the center hull)
Powerboat, ship
or circular

Sailboat distinct keel
(or no keel)

Box or barge

Sailboat integral keel
(keel is faired to hull)

(Applies only if there is no buoyant volume in the structure that
connects the hulls together)
Individual Hull Breadth (B1) = __________ft

B1

_______in

B1

9. ADDITIONAL DIMENSIONS FOR TRI-HULL VESSELS:
(Applies only if there is no buoyant volume in the structure that
connects the hulls together)

6. OVERALL DIMENSIONS:
Overall Length (L) =

Center Hull Length (L1) =

__________ft

_______in

Center Hull Breadth (B1) =

__________ft

_______in

Center Hull Depth (D) =

__________ft

_______in

Outer Hull Length (L2) =

__________ft

_______in

Outer Hull Breadth (B2) =

__________ft

_______in

Outer Hull Depth (D1) =

__________ft

_______in

__________ ft _______in

Overall Breadth (B) = __________ ft _______in
Overall Depth (D) =

__________ ft _______in

Swim
Platform

Bowsprit

L
B

L2

B

D

D

B

B

B
D

D

L1

B
D

B1
D

D

B2
D1

III. STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATION
I understand that, under the provisions of 46 CFR 69.25, a person making a false statement or representation in this application may be fined up to
$30,000 and that the vessel also is liable in rem for the penalty. I certify that the information provided by me above is correct.
Owner’s printed name__________________________________ Owner’s signature___________________________________ Date_______________

CG-5397 (10/17)

Page 1 of 2

APPLICATION FOR SIMPLIFIED MEASUREMENT - INSTRUCTIONS
Complete this form to certify information which is used to assign the vessel’s tonnages and registered dimensions pursuant to section 69.205 of
Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, part 69 (46 CFR 69.205), Simplified Regulatory Measurement System (subpart E). If the vessel is
documented, or intended to be documented, as a vessel of the United States under 46 CFR 67, submit this form to the National Vessel
Documentation Center (NVDC). Otherwise, the form is not further processed, but may be retained, at the vessel owner’s option, as evidence of
the tonnage measurement. Specify dimensions in terms of feet (to the nearest tenth) or feet and inches (to the nearest inch). When completed
electronically, this form will calculate gross and net tonnages, and display them in the upper left-hand corner of the form.
VESSEL TONNAGE
Tonnage is a measure of volume, often expressed in “tons” of 100
cubic feet. It differs from a vessel’s weight, which may also be
expressed in “tons”. Gross tonnage refers to the measure of the
overall size of a vessel. Net tonnage refers to the measure of the
useful capacity of the vessel.
SIMPLIFIED MEASUREMENT
Under this system, tonnages and registered dimensions are assigned
using information certified on the front of this form. Formulas for
calculating tonnages are found in 46 CFR 69 subpart E, and in policy
and guidance documents available from the Coast Guard Marine
Safety Center (MSC).
OTHER MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
Formal measurement systems may be used in lieu of the Simplified
system and may yield different tonnages. They require the owner to
obtain the services of an authorized measurement organization, whose
surveyor performs a physical inspection of the vessel. Contact
information for these organizations is available from the MSC.
DOCUMENTATION ELIGIBILITY
Under Simplified measurement, a vessel must be 5 net tons or more to
be eligible for documentation (issued a Certificate of Documentation).
Further information on vessel documentation and its application
process (using form CG-1258) is available from the NVDC.
MULTI-HULL VESSELS
For the purposes of Simplified measurement, twin hull and tri-hull
vessels are multi-hull vessels, which are defined as vessels with more
than one distinct hull. To be considered a distinct hull, the hull must
connect to another hull only with structure that is not a part of the
vessel’s buoyant hull envelope. For example, multi-hull vessels can
include pontoon boats, Hobie Cat-like catamarans, and certain vessels
with outriggers, where the connecting structure consists solely of
tubing or open structural members.

GUIDANCE BY ITEM
1. VESSEL NAME: Specify the vessel’s name. Note that for a documented
vessel, the name must be composed of letters of the Latin alphabet or
Arabic or Roman numerals (e.g., no special characters).
2. HULL ID NO.: Specify a unique hull number assigned to the vessel,
such as the hull identification number (HIN). The HIN is a 12-character
identifier assigned only to recreational vessels, containing the 3character manufacturer identification code (MIC), serial number, month
of production, and model year information (e.g., “XYZ12345L485”),
and is typically affixed permanently to the starboard outboard side of
the transom. For a documented vessel, also specify the official
number.
3. HULL MATERIAL: Indicate the hull material. If “Other”, specify.
4. PROPULSION MACHINERY: Indicate the location of the propelling
machinery, or if the vessel is non-self-propelled. For a vessel having
any propelling machinery in its hull, the location is “inside hull”.
5. SHAPE OF HULL: Indicate the shape of the hull.
6. OVERALL DIMENSIONS:
Length (L) is the horizontal distance of the hull between the outboard
side of the foremost part of the stem (bow), and the outboard side of
the aftermost part of the stern. It does not include bowsprits, rudders,
outboard motor brackets, swim platforms not containing buoyant
volume and other fittings and attachments that are not part of the
buoyant hull envelope.
Breadth (B) is the horizontal distance taken at the widest part of the
hull, excluding rub rails, from the outboard side of the skin (outside
planking or plating) on one side of the hull to the outboard side of the
skin on the other side of the hull.
Depth (D) is the vertical distance taken at or near amidships from a line
drawn horizontally through the uppermost edges of the skin (outside
planking or plating) at the sides of the hull (excluding the cap rail,
trunks, cabins and deckhouses, and deck caps) to the outboard face of
the bottom skin of the hull, excluding the keel. If
the vessel is designed for sailing and the interface
between the "keel" and the "bottom skin of the hull"
is not at a clearly defined location (as is the case
with an "integral" or "faired" keel), include the keel
in the depth measurement.

NOVEL/UNIQUE CRAFT
Certain novel or unique craft cannot be identified or categorized in the
types described on the front of this form. If the vessel is in this
category, complete Section II, Items 1-4, and Section III of this form
and send it, along with sketches, drawings and/or photographs
showing vessel geometry and overall dimensions, to the MSC at the
address listed below. Send Form CG-1258 and all other information
required for vessel documentation to the NVDC, notifying them of the
tonnage data submission to the MSC.

7. ADDITIONAL DIMENSIONS FOR LARGE DECK STRUCTURES: If the volume
of the principal deck structure is as large as, or larger than, the volume
of the hull, specify the average dimensions of the principal deck
structure.

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE
Refer to Tonnage Guide 1 - Simplified Measurement, available from
the MSC.

8. & 9. ADDITIONAL DIMENSIONS FOR TWIN & TRI-HULL VESSELS: Apply the
appropriate definitions under Item 6 to the individual hulls of a multihull vessel.

Privacy Notice
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 12501, 12502 and 14522; and 46 CFR 69.205
Purpose: To provide owner-certified data, which the U.S. Coast Guard uses as a basis for assigning tonnages and registered dimensions under the
Simplified Regulatory Measurement System (46 CFR 69 subpart E).
Routine Uses: Any external disclosures of data within this record will be made in accordance with DHS/USCG-013, 74 Fed. Reg. 30305, 30307 (June
25, 2009).
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary; however, failure to furnish the requested information will prevent assignment of tonnages and
registered dimensions under the Simplified Regulatory Measurement System for documented vessels or vessels intended to be documented.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control
number. The Coast Guard estimates that the average burden for this form is 2 hours. You may submit any comments concerning the accuracy of this
burden estimate or any suggestions for reducing the burden to: Commanding Officer (MSC), Attn: Marine Safety Center, US Coast Guard Stop 7430,
2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20593-7430 or Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (1625-0022),
Washington, DC 20503.

CG-5397 (10/17)

Page 2 of 2