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Marine Industry Updates

Victorian industry and government move to record Hull Identification Numbers

Thursday, 14 August 2008

Victorian industry and government move to record HINs

Victoria’s boating industry and government have joined forces to officially record the Hull Identification Number (HIN) for Victorian boats when they are registered or transferred.

The initiative has been introduced by the Boating Industry Association (BIA) of Victoria, Marine Safety Victoria (MSV) and Vic Roads.

HINs will now be recorded on registration documents – and stored on a central database – for new and used vessels initially registered or transferred by BIA boat dealers.

BIA Victoria general manager Robert Coco and MSV Manager of Safety Education, Tony Milne, officially launched the initiative at the Bayswater dealership of BIA retailer member Leon and Paul Savage’s Streaker Boats.

Robert Coco said all members were now required to record the 14-digit HIN on Victorian vessel registration and transfer documents.

“This gives the public greater confidence that robust processes are in place when dealing with a BIA member,” he said.

“We strongly support the MSV view that HINs provide an important form of identification for all vessels which are required to be registered.

“At present the recording of HINs is not a legislated requirement in Victoria, but both government and the industry believe it is an important voluntary contribution towards security for owners.”

Tony Milne said the initiative was designed to give consumers greater confidence that any vessel they bought was a known quantity, and it would assist in determining the legitimate identity of a vessel.

“As a long-term objective, BIA and MSV are working towards establishing an integrated national database which will allow vessel details to be cross-checked nationally,” he said.

“This will take time, but in the interim, the recording of HINs is an important data collection process, and allows consumers to check the background of a Victorian-registered boat.

“Many BIA Victoria members already supply HINs on a voluntary basis, but it is a big step for the industry to take a uniform stance on supplying the HIN on all their vessel registration and transfer transactions.”

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