Documented Vessel Facts: Should You Get Documentation?

Documented Vessel

As the owner of a yacht, it is essential for you to have a good understanding of the advantages of having a documented vessel and what it can do for you. Documentation is necessary for international commerce because it serves as evidence of ownership, establishes maritime liens, and creates maritime liens. Owning a boat is a tremendous responsibility. In addition to being responsible for the upkeep of the vessel and ensuring that it remains in excellent shape, you are also obligated to comply with all relevant rules and regulations. If you are the owner of a vessel utilized for business reasons, paperwork is an essential aspect to consider. Documentation is necessary for international commerce because it serves as evidence of ownership, establishes maritime liens, and creates maritime liens. The following is a list of justifications for why you need to acquire a documented vessel.

Make It Easy To Sell

Not everyone will like to or be able to make the necessary expenditure to have a documented vessel. Still, for those individuals who do, it is a very rewarding venture. It makes the process of selling your yacht much simpler. If you are trying to sell a yacht that does not have any paperwork, most buyers will ask for evidence of ownership, which might be a statement from the previous owner that has been notarized. If the seller does not answer your request promptly or at all, this might cause the transaction to be delayed and lead to other complications. If you have paperwork for your boat, it has to contain information about who currently owns the vessel and the date on which they acquired it, according to epa.gov. Because you have access to all of this information, you can save yourself a lot of difficulties and save a lot of time.

Protect Yourself from Liability

Your crew’s safety is one of your primary concerns as the boat owner, and you are legally liable for the vessel’s condition and any damage it may sustain. You would believe that taking responsibility for your boat will deter others from causing damage or being careless around it. Still, many boaters fail to do so, and as a consequence, human error is to blame for almost every boating catastrophe. Someone may be liable for damages if a captain carelessly steers his vessel into another or if an unauthorized passenger enters the vessel and suffers harm. The fundamental laws of common boating sense apply to all boaters. You can protect yourself from responsibility while out on the water by obtaining proper paperwork for your sailboat, but there are many more options. A third party (such as the owner of the pier your boat crashed into) might sue you for damages if anything were to happen to your boat without proper paperwork since there is no evidence that you own it.

A Documented Vessel Will Help You Organize Your Records

The records of your yacht may not need to be arranged at all. For the government to know what and where your boat is, you must document its presence. Taxpayers who are current with their payments will need to provide this information to the IRS if they decide to audit them. If you ever need a boat loan in the future, you’ll likely have to provide proof that your vessel has been well-cared for and maintained. Evidence of the boat’s age and level of upkeep might be provided by the paperwork accompanying it for sale. All that is needed is an organized folder on your computer where you can keep track of the pieces of your documented vessel and when they were replaced or fixed. Many boaters maintain tangible records of these items to make it simpler to keep track of and share information with others. Binders are popular, but cardboard boxes and plastic bins are other popular options. Regardless of your approach, save your documents securely to prevent harm or loss.

Documented Vessel

Stay Safe

When shopping for a boat, the question of whether or not you should acquire a boat that has been recorded is among the most crucial considerations. Although it may seem like a little bit of information, it has a significant bearing on you and your boat. If you have the proper documents for your boat, you can help ensure that you are safe and under the requirements mandated by the government. Before being allowed to be operated on the water, the vast majority of boats are required to satisfy several safety standards. The possession of a documented vessel that satisfies these standards might provide you the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are securely operating your vessel.

Vessel Documentation Online LLC, the country’s most respected resource for boat title and registration services, has years of experience in the industry. We’re happy to answer your questions about boat titling and boat registration today at (877) 564-1398.