Help identify this H-28 weight placard.

[Little Billy]

This two-piece placard was attached to the deck blocking just forward of the mast. Could the #579-916 indicate the certified scales, a marine surveyor, a hull number or best of all- the builder?

http://pic70.picturetrail.com/VOL1856/10662925/19779238/323685375.jpg

[SchoonerRat]

Documentation number. I think that plaque may have come from some other boat. A net tonnage of 55 would indicate a MUCH larger vessel. Memory tells me that a proper documentation is carved into the vessel, not a removable piece.

Oooops, could that be 5.5 tons? Much more reasonable. Are you new to this boat? Is she, in fact, documented? If so she will not have the customary CF numbers on her bow as most CA registered vessels will.

[Nicholas Carey]

She's a USCG registered/documented vessel.

Vessel number 579916 is Star Bound, 6 gross tons and 5 net tons. She was documented October 19, 1982 and was built in 1962.

They've got her listed as wooden, 28 ft LOA x 9.5 ft beam x 4.7 ft deep. The documented vessel database lists her previous owner as Robert H McLoughlin, with no current owner on record.No name changes are on record.

NOAA, oddly enough has the vessel documentation database online at http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st1/CoastGuard/ -- you can search by vessel number or name.

The USCG Vessel Documentation Center is at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvdc/

Hope this helps.

P.S. As a documented vessel, her number and weight are supposed to be permanently marked on the interior of the hull and her name and hailing port displayed on the exterior. Her previous owner didn't mark her properly. From the Vessel Documentation FAQ (http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/faq.htm):
WHAT ARE THE VESSEL NAME AND HAILING PORT MARKING REQUIREMENTS?


Documented vessels do not display their official numbers on the outside of the hull, but are identified by the name and hailing port. The application for documentation must include a name for the vessel composed of letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals and may not exceed 33 characters. The name may not be identical, actually or phonetically, to any word or words used to solicit assistance at sea; may not contain or be phonetically identical to obscene, indecent, or profane language, or to racial or ethnic epithets. Once established, a vessel's name may not be changed without application, fees, and the consent of the Director, National Vessel Documentation Center. There is no rule against duplication of names for documented vessels, so hailing ports are helpful in identifying vessels.

HOW DO I MARK MY VESSEL?


The official number assigned to documented vessels, preceded of the abbreviation "NO." must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least three inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be permanently affixed so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and cause some scarring or damage to the surrounding hull area.

The name and hailing port of a recreational vessel must be marked together on some clearly visible exterior part of the hull. The vessel name of a commercial vessel must also be marked on the port and starboard bow and the vessel name and the hailing port must also be marked on the stern. All markings may be made by any means and materials that result in durable markings and must be at least four inches in height, made in clearly legible letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals. The "hailing port" must include both a place and a State, Territory, or possession of in the United States. The state may be abbreviated.
Hope this helps.

[Little Billy]

The name "Star Bound" and the dimensions in the registry are correct for this vessel. It has changed hands several times since 1982 and also had the name changed. Apparently nobody bothered to notify the USCG like they should have. She has "CF.." numbers now, which is also not correct according to Schooner Rat.

Now it's time for me to finish the research and make the necessary corrections- Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[SchoonerRat]

The name "Star Bound" and the dimensions in the registry are correct for this vessel. It has changed hands several times since 1982 and also had the name changed. Apparently nobody bothered to notify the USCG like they should have. She has "CF.." numbers now, which is also not correct according to Schooner Rat.

Now it's time for me to finish the research and make the necessary corrections- Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
The presence of CF numbers is not necessarily incorrect. The indication is that the boat is no longer registered with the feds. I don't know the legalities of "undocumenting" a vessel, but if you're current with all fees to the CA DMV, you should be on "solid ground" legally.

Researching further is a good idea!

[banjoman]

Anyone know the history of the word "star" in H-28 naming?

We have Starduster, Starbound, Bright Star, and Starsplitter that I know of. Star is popular in boats but seems like it is especially popular when it comes to H-28s.

[Jay Greer]

I have no idea why so many H28s have the word star included in their names.
Jay
"Bright Star"