Have you been considering documenting your vessel, but aren’t sure if that’s the right path for you? Do you find yourself confused at figuring out what the difference between a “documented vessel” and an “undocumented” one is? These are questions that can be a bit opaque for even the most experienced vessel owner. The truth…
The Maritime Administration of the United States (Marad) grants waivers of the existing regulations only when your intended purpose doesn’t cause “undue adverse effect” on other operators or shipbuilders. A Marad waiver exempts provisions that may occur under one particular set of circumstances. Primarily, it depends on the use to which you intend to use…
Once you have your craft and your certification or license the next thing to think about is safety. It is a good idea to think of your boat as a vehicle, which in fact it is. It moves like any other type of vehicle, whether powered by muscle, wind, or motor. The only difference is…
When you want to register your vessel in US waters, you need to contact the US Coast Guard. They are the people who document vessels operating from US ports. Anyone who owns a car knows that they have to sign a lot of forms to get the necessary paperwork to drive on the highway, and…
There’s an old saying: “the two best days in boat ownership are the day you buy the boat and the day you sell it.” That might be a bit harsh, but the logic is sound. The idea is that those are the two days that you have the most to look forward to, the most…
Are you planning to buy or sell your boat? Before you go and sail, you have to ensure that you have a boat bill of sale so that you can transfer all ownership rights of the boat. Handle it before closing the deal and making sure that the sale is deemed legal. How should you…
Transferring the ownership of a documented vessel can be a complicated process, especially if you are a first-time boat owner that doesn’t know where to start. There are a few things you will need for the process, and all of them will be explained in this article. The first of them, however, will be the…
Are you ready to take your vessel out with friends and family this summer? Have you been looking forward to Memorial Day, the 4th of July, or just lazy days on the water in June since about the middle of October? If you’re like so many boat owners, of course, you have. This truly is…
Are you interested in getting financing on your vessel? Does a “Preferred Ship’s Mortgage” sound appealing? A mortgage can make it possible for you to have the vessel you’ve always dreamed of. Yes, a mortgage is a commitment, but it’s one that may get you out on the water in your perfect boat. Over the…
Are you considering documenting your vessel? Did you already document your vessel but lost your Certificate of Documentation? Do you need a form CG 1258? We designed the National Documentation Portal to be a place where vessel owners can go to find all of the forms they might need at any leg of their vessel…