((a)) The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a vessel identification system to make available information under for use by the public for law enforcement and other purposes relating to—

((1)) the ownership of documented vessels;

((2)) the ownership of vessels numbered under chapter 123 of this title; and

((3)) the ownership of vessels titled under the law of a State.

((b)) The vessel identification system shall include information prescribed by the Secretary including—

((1)) identifying a vessel;

((2)) identifying the owner of the vessel, including—

((A)) the owner’s social security number or, if that number is not available, other means of identification acceptable to the Secretary; or

((B)) for an owner other than an individual—

((i)) the owner’s taxpayer identification number; or

((ii)) if the owner does not have a taxpayer identification number, the social security number of an individual who is a corporate officer, general partner, or individual trustee of the owner and who signed the application for documentation or numbering for the vessel;

((3)) identifying the State in which it is titled or numbered;

((4)) indicating whether the vessel is numbered or titled, or both;

((5)) if titled in a State, indicating where evidence of a lien or other security interest may be found against the vessel in that State; and

((6)) information assisting law enforcement officials.

((c)) The Secretary may maintain information under this chapter in connection with any other information system maintained by the Secretary.