Are you a member of the United States Coast Guard’s registry? Congratulations! You have now become the happy owner of a documented vessel, which entitles you to several perks. It is required by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) that all boats, even those belonging to private individuals, be recorded. Having an adequately registered yacht…
If you’ve been reading these blogs for any length of time, then you know that the first step in boat documentation is typically the initial registration. Should you require documentation for your vessel, that’s often the most common form to start with. However, after that, paths diverge. There are many different forms that you could…
If you have a boat, you’ve probably heard about vessel documentation. Many boat owners don’t know whether they should get it for their boats or not. For many, the idea of going through one more round of paperwork is anathema to the entire point behind having a boat in the first place (which is to…
When you acquire a new ship, you can choose to register it with the US Coast Guard. For larger vessels, particularly those which you will be using in a commercial capacity, you may prefer to take out US coast guard vessel documentation. There are several factors involved in achieving documentation for your new boat, and…
When you work on your vessel, if you’re like most vessel owners, you have quite a bit to deal with. You have to make sure that the vessel is seaworthy, that it has everything it needs to stay afloat on the water. You need to make sure that it has all of the personal flotation…
Whether you are looking to buy a brand-new boat from a manufacturer or you have turned to the secondary market so you can purchase a vessel from a private owner or broker, at some point you will find that you need to do work with the Coast Guard. It may be that you want more…
The last time you and your family were driving out to the beach or down past the marina, you saw a boat that you fell in love with right away. Everything about it from the outside seemed perfect to you, and you could not help but notice the prominent ‘For Sale’ sign that was posted…
As you may have heard by now, if you are on the boat’s universe, the vessel’s certificate of documentation (COD) lasts longer now: if you sail on a recreational boat you can extend your certificate for 5 years every time it expires. If you want to know more about this new regimentation keep reading while…
If you have a large vessel, it is important to understand USCG regulations regarding boating. These are the rules that you are obliged to follow when operating your vessel in US waters. If you do not comply with these rules, then you may be fined heavily, or worse. If you are just beginning ownership of…
Does it seem like all of the vessel documentation rules and regulations all seem to favor the authorities and not vessel owners? Have you researched Coast Guard NVDC sites but found them full of odd jargon? When we started our site, we wanted it to be a resource for vessel owners, a place where they…