If you are the owner of a USCG Vessel, you know how critical it is to have all required documents in order at all times. But are you aware of the reasons behind the significance of this USCG documentation? The United States Coast Guard is aware of the significance of a vessel possessing appropriate paperwork issued by the USCG. You may discover various resources here at Vessel Documentation Online LLC that will provide information on registering yourself correctly. But why should you care about this if you don’t own a boat in the first place? The following are some of the reasons why the paperwork provided by the USCG is so important:
Law requires it
If you don’t have the proper USCG documentation, you might face fines of up to $100,000 and jail time of up to 5 years. Your boat is a vessel in the eyes of the law, but you haven’t registered it. Even if this defies common logic, it is the law, and who are we to dispute it? One of life’s greatest joys is being on the water, yet boat ownership may be a never-ending source of stress for others. A significant time and financial commitment are involved in owning and maintaining a boat.
Even though it may seem like you’re doing enough by maintaining your boat in good repair and taking care of registration and other paperwork, there’s one more thing you need to do to avoid legal issues and make sure everything’s on the up and up: get USCG documentation for your boat. Just of all the problems that may emerge if you didn’t have a record of your watercraft.
It Helps in The Event of an Accident or Theft
Having the proper USCG documentation is essential for a variety of reasons, especially in the case of an accident or theft. Have confidence in your boat’s documented and insured status before setting sail. Insurance companies, for instance, will need confirmation of registration and insurance before paying out on a claim for storm-related boat damage. How to file a claim after a natural disaster like a hurricane or flood may be particularly confusing, but an insurance agent can help you figure it all out. If you are a boat owner, you must ensure it is seaworthy and in compliance with USCG standards before taking it out on the water.
What would you do, for instance, if the motor on your boat broke down in the middle of the ocean, far from any lifeguard stations? The paperwork you submit to the USCG will demonstrate that you made an effort to ensure your boat was ready for such an occasion, allowing you to drive confidently, knowing that you’ve taken all precautions necessary to keep you and your passengers safe.
You Need it to Register Your Boat.
If you plan on taking your boat out on the coast or inland waterways inside the United States, you must first register it with the US Coast Guard (USCG). Even if you own a modest fishing boat or a yacht that costs more than most people’s homes, you will still need a USCG documentation number before you can legally launch your boat. This is because the paperwork is based only on the size of the boat, regardless of its worth or intended purpose.
You may be asking why there is a time restriction on boat ownership before you have to get it registered. The concept is that every boat owner should be able to find out how much their vessel is worth, but this may be difficult to do in practice since boats are typically passed down from generation to generation, and their current owners may not have registered the boat. They won’t know how much tax to pay if they sell or give away the yacht they inherit from their parents unless they’ve been keeping records on it.
USCG Documentation Ensures That Your Boat Is Street Legal
If you do not have the paperwork required by the US Coast Guard, your boat is not lawful. If you do not have the registration, the Coast Guard will issue you a fine and haul your boat away. Before issuing a Certificate of Documentation, the United States Coast Guard (USCG), which is notoriously stringent on the safety equipment that must be present on boats, stipulates that certain items must be present. It is essential to remember that this is not the same thing as a Boating Safety Certificate, which is issued only to the individual operating the boat and not to the owner of the vessel. If your vessel does not have the required documentation, you are not legally permitted to operate it anywhere other than on private land or a canal you control.
When you purchase a boat, it’s important to ensure you hold the proper documentation for that vessel. By contacting Vessel Documentation Online LLC by calling (877) 564-1398, you can ask for more information about how their services can help you with your USCG documentation.