If you are the owner of a USCG vessel, you must be aware of the new vessel registration. Since the Maritime Transportation Security Act was passed in 2002, all vessels operating inside the United States seas have been obliged to register with the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The owners of boats are being requested to comply with new registration criteria, which include submitting more information that is more precise about their vessels and consenting to be inspected by the United States Coast Guard. As the owner of a vessel, it is crucial for you to understand these new regulations and make sure that you comply with them. The following is essential information you need to know about the prerequisites for registering a new vessel.
What Are the New Registration Requirements?
Anyone with a vessel registration in good standing is exempt from the new regulations; hence, anyone who already possesses a registration may continue to utilize it to operate their boat lawfully. These brand-new regulations ensure that all excise taxes and fees are paid by anybody and everyone who is obligated to do so. If you have been up-to-date on your payments, including taxes and fees, for the last three years, you have nothing to worry about since the new legislation will not apply to your situation.
Now is the time to take action if you haven’t paid the taxes and fees for the last three years or if you are one of the many individuals who have never registered your boat in the first place. If this is your situation, then read on. You will require a certificate of documentation from the Coast Guard or a state registration from each state that your boat has been in over the last three years.
Why Are These Vessel Registration Changes Being Made?
The new rules are intended to simplify and speed up the registration process by lowering the cost of registering a yacht and increasing the amount of leeway available about when the procedure may be completed. Both you and the Department of Natural Resources should find this step in registering your boat to be less difficult due to this change. Residents will no longer be required to present themselves at a Department of Natural Resources site or pay additional fees to register their watercraft; instead, they will have the option of doing so via mail or online.
They will also be allowed to wait up to six months after purchasing a boat before registering it. This will give them time to determine whether or not they require any safety equipment and will also give them time to determine how much their vessel registration fees will be before they are required to pay anything.
What Do I Need to Do to Comply with The New Requirements?
Assuring your boat is seaworthy before putting it into the water is your priority, according to ny.gov. To operate it legally, several jurisdictions demand that boats be registered beforehand. While some jurisdictions let vessel launches without registration so long as registration is completed within a certain time frame after the vessel’s launch.
If you want to know whether or not this legislation applies to you, you’ll need to research the specifics of your launch date and compare them to the laws of your state or province. The US Coast Guard (USCG) asks that you fill out e-Form CG-1258 with any changes to your vessel’s information. In addition, you’ll have to agree to let the US Coast Guard check your ship and name someone who can be contacted in an emergency.
When Do I Need to Comply with These Changes?
When you own a boat, you are responsible for understanding and adhering to many distinct areas of the law. Safety when boating and ensuring that you comply with the most recent legislation is one of the essential things that you can do. Recent revisions were made to the rules for registering vessels, and it won’t be long until these changes affect everyone who owns a boat. Suppose your boat is sixteen feet long or longer.
In that case, you must register it in person at either your local DMV office or a marine dealer who is allowed to process registrations and affix vessel registration numbers. If your boat is less than sixteen feet, you may register it online. The registrations of boat owners will also need to be kept up to date, so if you have just purchased a boat, you must register it as soon as possible after making the purchase.
Vessel Registration Requirements have changed. Vessel Documentation Online LLC is here to help you understand the new rules and make an informed decision about whether you need to register your vessel. We can be reached at (877) 564-1398.