“Do I really need to register my vessel with the Coast Guard? The process sounds like a lot of work,” is something we hear fairly often. We understand that the US Coast Guard registration might seem complicated at first, but don’t worry. It doesn’t have to be that hard. The Basics of US Coast Guard…
You should be familiar with the abstract of the title for your vessel if you are the vessel owner. An abstract of title is a record of all of the transactions that have occurred about a specific vessel during its history. It contains information on the history of ownership of the vessel and details about…
While buying and owning a boat might seem pretty straightforward to you when you are seeking to do it for the first time, you should know that there are many rules and regulations that you need to know to make sure you register your boat correctly. This is especially important when you are getting a…
There’s no bigger relief than that coming from finally fulfilling your vessel mortgage. However, before you get to fully enjoy that satisfaction, you will have to submit some paperwork, including your release of mortgage form, to the United States Coast Guard. Let’s talk about what that process is like. What is a Release of Mortgage?…
Are you interested in getting a mortgage on your vessel? Have you been looking for an easier way to complete the documentation that you need? At our Vessel Documentation Online site, the Preferred Ship Mortgage Form is just one of the forms that we offer related to vessel financing. Whether you want to start a…
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…
When you first purchased your boat last year, the excitement of getting out into the water may have been the only thing you thought about. You had everything in place with your paperwork, equipment, and safety protocols, and all you worried about was how much time you could spend with friends and family using your…
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…
As July turns into August, are you ready to get out on your vessel and enjoy the summer? After having been cooped up in your home all winter long, doesn’t it feel freeing to be on the water? There’s nothing like going out on a boat in the summertime, whether it’s with family and friends…