The task has been completed. You purchased your boat, got everything together, and now it’s yours. To make sure that you can get out on the water legally, you’ve gotten your initial US vessel registration. This is a genuine accomplishment, the kind of occasion you should savor and celebrate. The thing is, that’s not the…
Like so many other conscientious vessel owners, before you head out on the water, you tend to check your own vessel. You make sure that you have everything that you need for a safe and fun trip on the water and that means life jackets that fit, a float plan, the engine, gas lines, and…
Buying a boat could be your dream come true, and it makes sense to investigate every vessel that you look at before making an agreement to buy. Even second-hand boats can go for a great deal of money, so it makes sense to investigate thoroughly before you take out a mortgage or loan based upon…
Do you have a small boat that you think might qualify you for a regulation waver? If you are looking for a MARAD waiver, then it is important that you understand exactly what this is, and how it can help you to manage your application forms. Also known as the Maritime Administration of the US,…
When February comes to an end and gives way to March, in most of North America, that means that spring is right around the corner. Sure, there will be exceptionally cold days, but the sun will start to come out more often, too, and for longer, as well. That’s the kind of thing that can…
Are you becoming a boat owner for the first time? If you are, this can be an exciting moment for you. When you see that boat in the marina for the initial time, and you know it belongs to you, you will be anxious to get out on the water and start enjoying your investment….
For many vessels, it’s a legal necessity to get onto the Coast Guard boat registration database. However, in the past, it has been difficult. Before the internet, vessel owners had to fill everything out by hand, then mail it in and hope for the best. Once online access was granted, vessel owners still found themselves…
Here at the Vessel Documentation Center, we’re always glad to talk to fellow vessel owners. Perhaps the most common, most asked question that we receive is “do I have to register my vessel?” If you’ve never owned a boat before, the registrations, licenses, and everything that you have to get become confusing at best. We…
Have you been procrastinating on taking care of your vessel documentation? Does it seem practically impossible to fit “getting onto the Coast Guard vessel registry” into your busy schedule? If so, you aren’t alone. You have work, your family life, your commute, and anything else going on in your life vs. filling out vessel documentation….
In the process of determining whether or not to document your vessel, have you ever wondered what exactly the US Vessel Registry is? Have you thought about why you might want to have your vessel on it? The registry is anything but new. Indeed, its roots run deep, tracing back to the very beginning of…