Good Morning,
I have uploaded a significant number of fishing vessel photos over the years, and going back through them I have noticed occasional, inconsistent changes to the vessel names, so I wanted to clarify the site policy.
I tend to upload photos following typical site guidance of giving only the full vessel name (in all caps, but we don't need to rabblerouse that subject again...). Some of my photos have since had the vessel amended to include some form of vessel registration, in a rather inconsistent manner, so I'll offer a few examples:
1. CELTIC
https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3040789The name has been amended to CELTIC 591971, to reflect the US Coast Guard Official Number clearly displayed on the hull as a visible identifier.
2. ALASKA VICTORY
https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/2823242Name amended in a similar manner to ALASKA VICTORY 569752. However, the official number is nowhere to be seen on the vessel exterior, and the only clear identifier is the Alaska Fish & Game registration 61083. As a result, the edit in theory consistent with the above format, but inconsistent with a policy of using a visible identifier, which would result in ALASKA VICTORY 61083 if formatted like cases 1 and 3 together suggest.
3. ALASKA QUEEN II
https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/2230203Named amended to ALASKA QUEEN II 21382. In this case, the number in use is clearly marked on the hull, but is a provincial fish and game registration (The vessel's official number is 174105). As a result consistent with the method used in case 1, but inconsistent with case 2.
4. CELTIC
https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/2292828Inconsistent with Cases 1 and 3, and questionably consistent with case 2. Name amended to CELTIC 687681. The new name uses the vessel's official number, but the only marking on the hull is Washington state license number WN314KWA. The "KWA" suffix ID's her as registered to the Quinault Tribe. In theory, state license and national documentation are mutually exclusive, but tribal vessels tend to be issued a state license to fish in waters governed by a US state, so both have standing to be the "official" registration.
With those in mind, I notice many more that haven't been changed, so I wanted to find out what the preferred method would be for a few other typical cases in United States fisheries, or if this is just so much of a headache that the names should be left alone:
A. STEALTH
https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/2276804Ex-Canadian fishing vessels have been entering US fisheries through a method of admeasuring for state license. Concurrently, the most "official" registration for the vessel is either California state license CF2484V or Alaska state license AK6277AU. Neither was visible on the hull at time of photo, and I've seen evidence that registration in one state doesn't necessarily mean another is abandoned. State licenses may also change under the same state when a vessel is sold to a new owner. Her only "permanent" identifier, Canadian documentation number 391849, ceased to be valid when she came under US flag.
B. BUCK AND ANN
https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/2297393Inconsistent requirements for different fisheries mean that multipurpose fishing vessels can bear a whole smorgasbord of markings. In this case, the vessel displays her US official number (591368), and fish and game registrations for three different states (32862, 32426, 43295). If this were to be matched to the example set by cases 1 and 3, the name could be something like: BUCK AND ANN 591368 32862 32426 FG43295.
Thank you for your input.
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