Yes, there are different types of U.S. Coast Guard documentation, and each type corresponds to the intended use of a documented vessel. The Coast Guard issues documentation with various endorsements that define how the vessel is legally allowed to operate. These include recreational, coastwise, fishery, and registry endorsements.
Choosing the correct endorsement is essential, whether your vessel is used for pleasure, business, or international trade. If your vessel qualifies, we can help you identify and apply for the right endorsement through our secure portal.
Understanding the distinctions among the various types of U.S. Coast Guard documentation can prevent unnecessary delays or compliance issues. Through our service, we make the documentation process clearer and easier by guiding vessel owners to the correct forms, endorsements, and trade indicators that align with their vessel’s purpose.
What Are the Main Types of U.S. Coast Guard Documentation?
U.S. Coast Guard documentation isn’t one-size-fits-all. The type of documentation your vessel receives depends largely on how you use it. The primary endorsements are:
- Recreational
- Coastwise
- Fishery
- Registry
Each endorsement comes with its own requirements and permitted uses. If you select the wrong one, it could limit your vessel’s activity or require an amendment later on. When you file through us, we’ll help you avoid these kinds of issues by confirming that your application aligns with your vessel’s purpose and operations.
Recreational Endorsement
This is the most common endorsement for private vessel owners. A recreational endorsement permits the vessel to be used only for pleasure—no commercial activity of any kind is allowed.
If you own a yacht or personal boat and simply want to use it for non-commercial sailing, travel, or leisure, this is likely the endorsement for you. Recreationally endorsed vessels are not allowed to transport passengers for hire, engage in fishing operations for profit, or conduct trade.
Even though this endorsement prohibits commercial activity, it still allows your vessel to benefit from federal documentation privileges. These include simplified ownership transfer, international recognition, filing for a First Preferred Ship Mortgage, and exemption from state hull numbering.
We help you apply for recreational documentation quickly and easily. Whether this is your first time registering or you’re switching from another endorsement, our platform can help streamline the entire process.
Coastwise Endorsement
A coastwise endorsement allows a documented vessel to carry passengers or merchandise for hire within U.S. waters. This includes activities like ferry services, charter operations, sightseeing tours, and cargo transportation between U.S. ports.
To qualify, a vessel must meet certain requirements regarding construction and ownership. Coastwise operations are considered commercial activity and are subject to inspection, licensing, and compliance with additional U.S. maritime regulations.
If your vessel will be earning revenue by operating domestically, this is the endorsement you’ll need. You can apply for it directly through our portal, and if you’re unsure whether your operations qualify, we can help you determine that based on your business model.
Keep in mind that vessels used in the coastwise trade must also be built in the U.S. to meet eligibility requirements. These rules are outlined in more detail under Title 46, Part 67 of the Code of Federal Regulations, but our team can help clarify them without requiring you to read through the entire code.
Fishery Endorsement
This endorsement allows a vessel to engage in commercial fishing within U.S. navigable waters or the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). That includes catching, processing, or transporting fish or aquatic products for commercial sale.
Vessels applying for this endorsement must be owned by U.S. citizens, and many of the same rules that apply to coastwise trade also apply here. However, fishing vessels must meet additional compliance standards specific to the fishing industry.
Applying for a fishery endorsement can be more involved than other types of documentation due to the additional reporting and regulatory oversight. If you’re in the fishing business, we can help ensure your documentation is up to date, accurate, and ready for commercial use.
Our secure system is designed to handle even the more complex documentation processes required by fisheries. Whether you’re launching a new operation or adjusting your current vessel’s paperwork, we’ll help you complete the necessary forms and file them properly.
Registry Endorsement
The registry endorsement is used primarily for vessels engaged in foreign trade. This includes U.S.-flagged vessels involved in international shipping, offshore charter work, and other global maritime operations.
If your vessel operates outside the U.S. or carries goods or passengers between foreign ports, the registry endorsement allows for that activity. It’s also commonly used for vessels under bareboat charters that will operate abroad.
Registry endorsement documentation can serve as proof of national registry in international jurisdictions, which is critical for customs, port entry, and overseas compliance.
We help vessel owners file for this endorsement when international activity is involved, ensuring the proper designation is included from the start of the documentation process.
Switching Between U.S. Coast Guard Documentation Endorsements
Sometimes, a vessel owner may need to change the endorsement type if the vessel’s purpose changes. For instance, you might start with a recreational endorsement and later want to use the vessel for charter services. Or perhaps you initially documented your vessel for fishing but want to operate in foreign trade under a registry endorsement.
Switching between endorsements requires submitting a request to change your trade indicator. We offer a straightforward way to do this through our Change of Endorsement/Trade Indicator form. Whether you’re making a temporary or permanent change, our platform helps ensure that the new designation is accurately filed.
We also assist in cases where vessel owners were unaware they were using their boat outside the scope of its endorsement. By working with us, you can update your documentation before any compliance problems arise.
What If I Don’t Know Which Endorsement to Choose?
If you’re uncertain about the correct endorsement for your vessel, we can help. We walk you through the intended use of your vessel, its physical specs, and your long-term goals to determine the proper category.
Choosing the wrong endorsement can affect your insurance, your legal permissions, and your ability to operate your vessel in certain waters. It can also delay the processing of your documentation if the Coast Guard finds inconsistencies in your application.
We’ve built our system to prevent those issues. Before your forms are submitted, we make sure all fields are accurate, complete, and aligned with your vessel’s operations.
Additional Endorsement Considerations
There are several factors that affect your eligibility and responsibilities for each type of endorsement. These include:
- Ownership: All documented vessels must be owned by U.S. citizens. Some endorsements have additional ownership restrictions.
- Construction: Coastwise and fishery vessels must be built in the United States, while foreign-built vessels may only qualify for registry or recreational use.
- Inspection: Vessels used for commercial activity may be subject to periodic inspections and safety certifications.
- Trade indicators: These define the type of commerce or navigation the vessel is involved in. Changes to this indicator must be submitted and approved.
We keep these requirements in mind when helping you complete and submit documentation. Our goal is to make sure you’re in compliance today—and stay that way tomorrow.
How We Help You with U.S. Coast Guard Documentation
At every step, our service is built to help vessel owners submit, update, and maintain their U.S. Coast Guard documentation efficiently. From the moment you open our portal, you’ll find the right form for your vessel’s needs. We provide:
- Guided form submissions based on vessel use
- Endorsement change assistance when operations evolve
- Renewal and reinstatement support for previously documented vessels
- Secure form handling that eliminates guesswork and delays
Our platform is designed to ensure your paperwork matches your operations. Whether you’re documenting a new recreational vessel or converting a charter boat into a foreign trade vessel, we streamline the paperwork and keep you moving forward.
Let us help you determine which endorsement suits your vessel and ensure your U.S. Coast Guard documentation is filed correctly, efficiently, and with full peace of mind.