# Boat HIN Decoder & USCG Manufacturer (MIC) Lookup (`prudent_businessman/uscg-boat-hin-decoder-mic-lookup`) Actor

Decode and validate boat Hull Identification Numbers (HIN) in bulk: builder, production month/year, model year, format checks and red flags. Look up the live US Coast Guard MIC database (16,000+ boat builders): status, past names, boat types. Search by company or state.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/prudent_businessman/uscg-boat-hin-decoder-mic-lookup.md
- **Developed by:** [Benningfield Data](https://apify.com/prudent_businessman) (community)
- **Categories:** E-commerce, Lead generation, Other
- **Security:** Limited permissions
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

$3.00 / 1,000 records

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## Boat HIN Decoder & USCG Manufacturer (MIC) Lookup

Decode and validate **boat Hull Identification Numbers (HINs)** in bulk and match each one to its builder in the **live US Coast Guard Manufacturer Identification Code (MIC) database**, which lists 16,000+ boat builders, importers and state-issued codes.

For every HIN you get:

- **Builder**: the MIC holder's current name, status (In Business / Out of Business / agency), DBA, **past company names**, parent company, city/state/ZIP/country, in-business and out-of-business dates, and boat types (pontoon, sailboat, PWC...).
- **Dates**: production month and year, plus model year. All three HIN formats are supported: current (Aug 1984 and later), model-year (1972–1984) and straight-year (1972–1984).
- **Red flags**: wrong length, I/O/Q in the serial number, impossible model year, a production year that doesn't fit the model year, an unknown MIC, a boat built after the builder closed, a MIC that was reassigned to a new company, and state-issued HINs for homemade boats.

You can also look up MICs directly or search builders by name or state, for example every active pontoon builder.

### Why use it?

- **Boat dealers, brokers & marketplaces**: check HINs on listings and trade-ins, and spot typos or altered HINs before you list or buy.
- **Insurers, lenders, title & registration services**: confirm the builder and model year in bulk.
- **Marine surveyors & parts sellers**: identify builders of orphan or out-of-business brands through their past company names.
- **Lead generation & market research**: get lists of active boat manufacturers by type and state.

### Input

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| `hins` | HINs to decode, 12 characters or with a country prefix such as `US-ABC12345D404`. Spaces and dashes are ignored. |
| `mics` | 3-character MICs to look up |
| `company_search` | Manufacturer name contains |
| `states` | State or province codes |
| `in_business_only` | Only active manufacturers (applies to search results) |
| `export_all` | Export the entire MIC database |
| `include_details` | Fetch each builder's detail page (default on). Turn it off for a fast name/city/state list. |
| `max_items` | Max records (0 = no limit) |

#### Examples

Decode HINs:

```json
{ "hins": ["SERV1234B606", "US-BRT12345L798", "4WN54321M79J"] }
```

Active pontoon builders:

```json
{ "company_search": ["pontoon"], "in_business_only": true, "max_items": 0 }
```

Fast list of every MIC in Florida (no details):

```json
{ "states": ["FL"], "include_details": false, "max_items": 0 }
```

### Output (HIN)

```json
{
  "recordType": "hin",
  "hinNormalized": "US-BRT12345L798",
  "valid": true,
  "format": "current (Aug 1984 and later)",
  "countryCode": "US",
  "mic": "BRT",
  "serialNumber": "12345",
  "productionMonth": 12,
  "productionMonthName": "December",
  "productionYear": 1997,
  "modelYear": 1998,
  "warnings": [],
  "notes": ["Built 1997, before the current MIC holder's in-business date (2012-10-18). The MIC may have belonged to a past company: BRANDT MFG CO (OOB)."],
  "micFound": true,
  "manufacturer": {
    "mic": "BRT",
    "status": "In Business",
    "company": "BRYANTS MARINE SERVICE INC",
    "pastCompanies": ["BRANDT MFG CO (OOB)"],
    "city": "CADDO MILLS",
    "state": "TX",
    "boatTypes": ["Outboards, Open Motorboats, Jon Boats", "Pontoon Boats"],
    "inBusinessDate": "2012-10-18",
    "detailUrl": "https://uscgboating.org/content/manufacturers-identification-detail.php?id=..."
  }
}
```

Manufacturer search records (`recordType: "manufacturer"`) have the same fields as `manufacturer` above.

### Pricing

Pay per result: each decoded HIN or manufacturer record is one result. No start fee.

### Notes & privacy

- Data is read live from the public USCG Boating Safety MIC search at uscgboating.org, so it is newer than the outdated downloadable MIC file. Detail pages are fetched politely, one at a time.
- **No personal contact data is collected.** Company officials' names, phone and fax numbers, street addresses and comments are left out. Company names are kept exactly as registered with the USCG, and some small builders are registered under the owner's name.
- HIN decoding follows 33 CFR Part 181 Subpart C. A valid-looking HIN is not proof of ownership or authenticity. For stolen-boat or title checks, use official channels.
- This Actor is not affiliated with or endorsed by the US Coast Guard.

# Actor input Schema

## `hins` (type: `array`):

12-character HINs (optionally with a 2-letter country prefix like US-). Spaces and dashes are ignored. Each one is decoded, validated and matched to its manufacturer.

## `mics` (type: `array`):

3-character USCG MICs to look up, e.g. SER, BRT.

## `company_search` (type: `array`):

Find manufacturers whose current name contains any of these terms, e.g. 'pontoon', 'yacht', 'Bayliner'.

## `states` (type: `array`):

Two-letter state or province codes, e.g. FL, MI, ON.

## `in_business_only` (type: `boolean`):

Return only manufacturers currently marked In Business (applies to search results).

## `export_all` (type: `boolean`):

Export the whole MIC database (16,000+ codes). With details on, this fetches one page per code and can take a long time - use max_items.

## `include_details` (type: `boolean`):

Fetch each manufacturer's USCG detail page: status, DBA, past company names, parent, ZIP, country, in/out-of-business dates and boat types. Turn off for a fast name/city/state list.

## `max_items` (type: `integer`):

Maximum records to output (0 = no limit). You pay per record.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "hins": [
    "SERV1234B606",
    "US-BRT12345L798"
  ],
  "in_business_only": false,
  "export_all": false,
  "include_details": true,
  "max_items": 100
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

No description

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "hins": [
        "SERV1234B606",
        "US-BRT12345L798"
    ]
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("prudent_businessman/uscg-boat-hin-decoder-mic-lookup").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = { "hins": [
        "SERV1234B606",
        "US-BRT12345L798",
    ] }

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("prudent_businessman/uscg-boat-hin-decoder-mic-lookup").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "hins": [
    "SERV1234B606",
    "US-BRT12345L798"
  ]
}' |
apify call prudent_businessman/uscg-boat-hin-decoder-mic-lookup --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,prudent_businessman/uscg-boat-hin-decoder-mic-lookup"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/cwBdXfRcdz31gOMbY/builds/3C3vm1fePA6m7Yzi9/openapi.json