In order to the obtaining of a register, oath must be made that the master is a citizen of the United States.[12] If the master of a registered vessel is changed, or if the vessel's name is altered, such fact must be endorsed upon the register at the custom-house, otherwise she will cease to be considered a vessel of the United States.[13]
If any certificate of registry is fraudulently or knowingly used for any ship or vessel not at the time entitled to it, such ship or vessel, with her tackle, apparel and furniture, shall be forfeited to the United States.[14] If an enrolled or licensed vessel is about to proceed on a foreign voyage, she must surrender her enrolment and license, and take out a register, or she, together with her cargo, will be liable to forfeiture.[15] In case of the loss of a register, the master may make oath to the fact, and obtain a new one.
All vessels engaged in the coasting and fishing trades, above twenty tons' burden, in order to be entitled to the privileges of vessels of the United States in those trades, must be enrolled and licensed; and if less than twenty tons, must be licensed.[16] The same qualifications and requisites in all respects are demanded in order to the enrolling and licensing of a vessel, which are required for registering.[17] The name must be painted on the stern in the same manner, under penalty of $20.[18]
If any vessel licensed for the fisheries engages in any other business not expressly allowed by the license, she is forfeited.[19] Vessels, however, licensed for the mackerel trade are not forfeited in consequence of having been engaged in catching cod, or other fish; but they are not entitled to the bounty allowed to vessels in the cod fisheries.[20] The officers and at least three fourths of the crew of every fishing vessel must be American citizens, or they can recover none of the bounties.[21]
[20] Acts 1828, ch. 119, §1, and 1836, ch. 55, §1.
DOCUMENTS.--Every registered vessel should have a _certificate of registry_.[22] This is an abstract of the record of registry, showing the names and residences of the owners, the place where the vessel was built, with a particular description of the vessel. This document shows the national character of the vessel, and is important to prove neutrality in time of war between other powers. For the same reasons, an enrolled vessel should have a _certificate of enrolment_.[23] Vessels bound to Europe should have _passports_. A passport is a permission from the government for the vessel to go upon her voyage, and contains a description of the vessel, crew, &c., and the name of the master. Vessels bound round Cape Horn or the Cape of Good Hope should have _sea-letters_. These contain a description of the cargo, &c., and are written in four languages--English, French, Dutch and Spanish. The two latter documents are rendered necessary or expedient by reason of treaties with foreign powers. Every vessel should have a _list of crew_. This specifies the name, age, place of birth and residence, &c., of each one of the ship's company; and is, of course, very useful when sailing among belligerents. The other documents are the _bill of health_, _general clearance_, _clearing manifest_, _invoice_ and _bill of lading_ for the cargo, _charter-party_, if one has been given, and the _log-book_. On entering at the custom-house, the papers required in addition to these are the _manifest_, _list of passengers_ and _crew_, and of _remaining sea-stores_.