This dataset, part of the Marine Information Safety and Law Enforcement System (MISLE), and Vessel Documentation System (VDS) databases, documents registration and ownership information of commercial and recreational vessels. It includes two datasets: one that includes only currently registered commercial vessels and large recreational boats; the other that includes all vessels, as well as those whose licenses have expired.

Both tables document the size of the vessels, when and where they were built, their home port, and registration dates. The VESSDOC table includes ownership information.

• Story No. 21444: Rolah McCabe successfully sued British American Tobacco in 2002 when the judge "ruled that BAT and Clayton Utz had destroyed internal documents denying her a fair trial." It was overturned on appeal. However after McCabe's win Utz conducted a secret internal investigation. "The Sunday Age published the details of the internal investigation and put the documents online" after they were leaked to Birnbauer.

• Tipsheet No. 448: This handout gives great pointers for dealing with transportation databases. Aviation, U.S. Department of Transportation - Planes and Trains, Marine and Highway databases are discussed. There is also a two-page listing of stories that have been done using these databases itemizing publication, date of publication and databases used. Audio tape is available for purchase from the IRE Resource Center. Contact us at (573) 882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org.
• Tipsheet No. 2719: Nalder's tipsheet narrates his quick yet thorough investigation of the Washington state ferry system, which reveals techniques for rapidly digging into an organization's records and procedures. The sheet explains research techniques, interview strategies and keys to source selection.