American Samoa Boat Registration Overview
All you should know about registering a boat in American Samoa.
American Samoa boat registration overview is a free public service designed to inform boaters about operational requirements, recording methods, and record search lookups. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.
Registration Agency
Boat registration in American Samoa is administered through the
Department of Port Administration (DPR) in
Pago Pago.
Registration Statistics: There are approximately 90 boats
currently registered in American Samoa. USCG vessel documentation records
indicate 21 documented owners with an American Samoa address and 37
documented vessels that display an American Samoa hailing
port.
Uniform Titling: American Samoa has not yet adopted the
Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act (UCOTVA) which basically sets
the same nationwide standards for boat titling similar to those for
vehicles. There are accordingly no provisions for title branding in American
Samoa.
Vessel Identification System: American Samoa participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.
Registration Requirements
American Samoa requires registration on all non-exempt
boats that operate within its jurisdictional waters. The following are basic
requirements and exemptions with further details available from the
referrals for this overview.
Motor Boats: Registration is required
on all motorized boats and watercraft in American Samoa.
Sailboats:
Sailboats are subject to registration in American Samoa.
Canoes and Kayaks: Canoes and kayaks are subject to registration in
American Samoa.
Dinghies and Tenders: Dinghies and tenders must be registered in
American Samoa.
Lifeboats: Lifeboats are exempt from registration in American Samoa.
Documented Vessels: Coast Guard documented vessels are
exempt from registration in American Samoa.
Visiting Boats:
Foreign boats and those registered in any state may visit American Samoa for
not more than 90 consecutive days before having to register.
Boat Titles:
Boat titles are not available in American Samoa.
Outboard Motors: Titles and registrations are not
available for outboard boat motors in American Samoa.
Registration Application
Persons who wish to register a boat in American
Samoa should contact the Department of Port Administration.
Application Forms: A boat registration application and other
related forms must be obtained from the DPR.
Manufacturer's Statement:
When a new boat is to be registered for the first time, you must
present a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin or Builder's certification. The statement or
certification must be properly
assigned into your name or accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous Title: When a boat was previously state titled,
you must present a properly assigned title certificate or one
that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Registration Fees:
The most current list of boat registration fees may be found by
contacting the DPR.
Registration Renewals:
Boat registration renewals are available from the DPR.
Numbering Requirements
Boat registration numbers in American Samoa begin
with an "AS" designation which is followed by four numbers and
then two letters. These must be displayed on all registered
boats along with the current registration decals. State boat
numbering configuration, size and placement requirements are
dictated by federal regulations. More detailed information can
be found in the referrals for this page.
Hull Numbers:
All vessels built after 1972 are required to have a properly
formatted 12 digit hull identification number. Although
typically assigned and installed by the manufacturer, owners
with older, homemade, or imported boats may apply to the
Department of Port Administration for a hull number
assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "ASZ" in place
of the manufacturer's identification code. Boats must be
inspected by a law enforcement official whenever their is a
missing or questionable hull identification number.
Lien and Security Interest Recordings
The available options for securing loans, liens
and claims against boats registered in American Samoa are determined by
various factors. These include the type of debt, obligation or
liability and whether the boat is USCG documented.
Loan Security Interests: Security interests on registered
boats in American Samoa must recorded with the Territorial Registrar's Office . If a boat qualifies for USCG documentation, the
lender must obtain a preferred vessel mortgage in order to perfect or
prioritize its security interest. These are recorded with the National
Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Liens: Tax liens are
recorded with the Territorial Registrar's Office.
Stolen Boats:
Although stolen boats are not typically viewed as maritime
liens, the true owner may have rights of recovery regardless of
a subsequent owner's awareness. There are no methods for
recording stolen boats in American Samoa other than by filing a report with the
Marine Patrol. These will in turn become listed
in their stolen boat database and perhaps the National Crime
Information Center database. Our stolen boat registry also
serves as a proprietary database for the boating industry.
Registration and Lien Searches
Registration and lien search methods for American
Samoa registered
boats will vary according to the type of lien and whether the
boat is USCG documented.
Registration Database Searches:
Registration records for American Samoa are maintained
in a database administered by the Department of Port
Administration. Access to such data is available for owners and
certain qualified parties as prescribed by regulatory standards.
Comprehensive guidelines about boat record searches in American
Samoa can be found in the references
for this overview.
Personal Property Lien Searches:
Personal property lien filings can be obtained by contacting the
Territorial Registrar's Office.
USCG Documentation Searches: Ownership,
mortgage and lien information on USCG documented vessels can be
obtained by ordering an abstract of title from the National
Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Lien
Searches: State and Federal tax liens on boats are not
always recorded in a consistent manner and are therefore
difficult to identify. They may show up as a flag on state
registration records, as UCC filings, in state revenue records,
in a county clerks records, or on a vessel's abstract of title
for documented boats. Given these disparities, it may be worth
obtaining the services of a public record vendor that has access
to a broad range of personal lien
recordings.
Non-Recorded Liens: Non-recorded maritime liens may also
be a factor in conducting lien searches. These may include
liabilities for items such as services, equipment, fuel,
storage, parts, supplies, and damages that are related to the
boat itself. This type of research can only be determined through
personal investigation, owner disclosures, and boat history
lookups.
Lien Claim Searches: Additional
information about boat lien claim searches can be found in the
resources and guidelines sections of our website.
Owner Background Checks: Yacht brokers,
documentation companies and attorneys do not warrant or
guarantee titles. There is moreover no such thing as boat title
insurance in the marine industry. It is therefore incumbent on
the owner to stand behind any such representations. This will of
course be of no consolation if a guarantor is insolvent,
non-cooperative, or can not be subsequently located. A thorough background check to ensure the owner's
inclination and ability for making good on any hidden liens or title
deficiencies is recommended. Information on how to go about this
can be found in the referrals for this page.
Business Entity Search:
You should run a business entity search when dealing with a boat
registered to an entity such as a corporation or limited
liability company. This will help confirm the legitimacy of such
enterprise and identify those authorized to act on its behalf.
Information for doing so can be obtained from the Department of
Commerce.
Stolen Boat Search: American Samoa does not maintain a list of
boats that have been stolen within its jurisdiction. You will need to
contact the Marine Patrol Division for such information. You will also find
detailed information about stolen boat searches in the resources
and guidelines sections of our website. Visit the resources and
guidelines sections of our website for additional information
about stolen boat detection.
Taxes and Insurance
Sales and Use Tax: Contact the American
Samoa for information about boat import and other taxes.
Insurance: Contact the Department of Port Administration for
information about boat insurance requirements
Operator Requirements
Operator Requirements: Age limitations and
boater education requirements may apply to boat operators in
American Samoa. Contact the Boating Law Administrator for the most current age
and boater education requirements
Accident Reporting:
Boating accidents must be immediately reported to the American
Samoa Department of Public Safety, Marine Patrol Division.
Notifications: The Department of Port Administration must be notified whenever a registered or titled boat has been transferred, stolen, lost, abandoned.
This also applies to ownership and address changes.
Enforcement Agency: The Department of Public Safety, Marine Patrol Division is primarily responsible for
boating law enforcement in American Samoa. However, all law
enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce boating laws.
Conclusion
The information provided herein is gathered from various sources and may be subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice. You should consult directly with the appropriate agency or a qualified attorney before taking any actions based on this overview.
References and Referrals
Comments - Suggestions - Corrections