Final answer:
The HIN's first three letters indicate the manufacturer's identification code, which identifies the boat's manufacturer, followed by characters representing the serial number, manufacture date, and model year.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the format and purpose of the twelve-character Hull Identification Number (HIN). The three letters within the HIN typically indicate the manufacturer's identification code.
This code is assigned by the appropriate regulatory authority and is used to identify the boat's manufacturer. The remaining characters following the first three letters provide information about the boat's serial number, the date of manufacture, and the model year.