MIC
The first three characters of a HIN is a unique Manufacturer Identification Code (MIC) that is assigned by the U.S. Coast Guard to each manufacturer / importer. It may consist of both letters and numbers but the use of numbers discontinued in mid-1990s.
Per CFR Title 33 § 181.23 (a), each domestic manufacturer (or individual builder) must request a manufacturer identification code (MIC) in writing from the Commandant United States Coast Guard. For boats manufactured outside the United States, a U.S. importer must obtain a MIC as required by this part. The request must indicate the importer’s name and U.S. address along with a list of the manufacturers, their addresses and the types and sizes of boats that will be imported. If a nation has a hull identification number system that has already been accepted by the Coast Guard for the purpose of importing boats, it may be used.
Serial Number
The fourth through eighth position of a HIN is the boat’s serial number. Serial numbers are assigned by the manufacturer and may include letters and/or numbers except the letters I, O, and Q.
Month and year of certification
The ninth through twelfth position of the HIN indicates the month and year of certification. This has changed over time but today’s New Format used the following convention:
Position 9: Must be a letter value representing the month the hull was built. A= January and B = February, etc….
Position 10: Must be a number value indicating the last digit of the year of manufacture / certification (e.g., 6 represents 2016 when model year is 2016 or 2017)
Positions 11-12: Indicate the model year (e.g., 17 represents model year 2017)
