The Coast Guard has set up a free (you pay for the phone call) database of information on vessels calling at U.S. ports. The database, named Port State Information Exchange (PSIX) will provide:
Specifications on the vessel including tonnage, alternative identification numbers, stability data and service;
A summary of the vessel’s contacts with the Cost Guard including inspections, discrepancies found, detentions and related information;
Information on the vessel’s documentation and certification including expiration dates.
The database may be accessed by dialing (202) 267-4333 and using the password "psix" in lower case. Set your modem to 2400 baud, 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity. In order to find the vessel you are interested in you must have the vessels VIN or the Official Number. If you don’t have that information, you can obtain it from several sources, the newest and most up to date is the CD-ROM disk put out by Marine Information Systems of San Diego. See separate article.
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