As the summer season winds down, many boaters are eager to take advantage of the remaining warm weather by heading out on the water. Whether you’re wrapping up a long boating season or just squeezing in a few late-summer trips, maintaining awareness of current marine safety alerts and preparing accordingly is crucial. At the National…
After repaying a First Preferred Ship Mortgage, the lien must be officially removed from the vessel’s Coast Guard documentation record. This is done through a Release of Mortgage form, submitted to the United States Coast Guard. At the National Documentation Portal, we offer a straightforward, user-friendly platform that helps owners file this form properly and…
Before buying a documented vessel—or even just out of curiosity—it’s normal to want to know more about its history. Has it been properly documented? What is its official service designation? When does the Certificate of Documentation expire? These are all questions you can answer quickly and easily with the right tools. If you’ve ever wondered…
When it comes to United States Coast Guard (USCG) vessel documentation, many owners know to focus on their vessel’s name, ownership, and registration status. However, another important and often overlooked element is the hail port, also known as the “hailing port.” This is the U.S. city and state listed on a documented vessel’s stern, displayed…
When a boat changes hands, the bill of sale is more than just a receipt. It’s a legal document that outlines what was sold, the conditions of the sale, and who is now responsible for the vessel and its components. For those looking to include a boat motor in a bill of sale, the stakes…
Choosing a boat name is more than formality—it reflects a vessel owner’s identity, heritage, personal story, and deep pride. But what happens when that name no longer fits? Whether rebranding, honoring change, or starting fresh, now may be the right time to change name of boat. We can help. Here at the National Documentation Portal,…
Here at the National Documentation Portal, we’re always glad to answer questions about boats, boat documentation, that kind of thing. One of the most commonly asked questions we hear is: “What’s the difference between a boat and ship?” While the terms are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, there are specific distinctions between them—distinctions rooted…
Ownership changes for documented vessels involve more than just handing over keys or signing a bill of sale. To ensure that these changes are legally recognized by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), a specific form must be completed: CG 1258. This form is used for the official Transfer/Exchange of Certificate of Documentation, and it…
Every documented vessel in the United States is issued a Certificate of Documentation by the U.S. Coast Guard, verifying its nationality, ownership, and eligibility for certain activities. However, compliance isn’t permanent. For most vessel owners, the Certificate of Documentation must be renewed annually using what is formally known as the CG-1280 form. At the National…
A boat’s history and legal standing can be challenging to find. Whether you’re researching a vessel before purchasing or verifying the status of your own, beginning with a boat serial number lookup is a smart move. At the National Documentation Portal, we offer a direct, easy-to-use resource for accessing the U.S. Coast Guard’s database of…