Legal Definitions - enrollment

Enrollment is the act of officially recording or registering. In maritime law, it specifically refers to the recording and certification of vessels engaged in coastal or inland navigation, which establishes their national character for domestic trade, as distinct from "registration" for international voyages.

Enrollment refers to the official act of recording or registering something within a formal system. In a specific legal context, particularly maritime law, it denotes the process by which certain vessels are officially recorded and certified for operation exclusively within a country's domestic waters.

This is distinct from "registration," which typically applies to vessels engaged in international trade. Enrollment serves to establish the national identity of a vessel operating in coastal or inland navigation, confirming its eligibility for domestic commerce.

• Example 1: A recent high school graduate decides to pursue a certificate in culinary arts at a local vocational school. They complete the necessary application forms, submit their transcripts, and pay the tuition fees to secure their place in the program. This entire process is known as enrollment.

  Explanation: Here, enrollment signifies the formal act of registering and being officially recorded as a student in the vocational program, granting them access to classes and school resources.

• Example 2: A company operating a fleet of barges that transport goods exclusively along the Mississippi River, never crossing into international waters, must ensure each vessel complies with U.S. maritime law. For these barges, the company obtains an enrollment certificate from the U.S. Coast Guard.

  Explanation: In this maritime context, enrollment is the specific legal procedure for recording and certifying a vessel for domestic operations. This certificate confirms the barge's national character for use in inland navigation, distinguishing it from a vessel that would be "registered" for voyages to foreign ports.