It is exciting to own a boat. You can go anywhere you wish to go. However, as a vessel owner, you have the responsibility to register it with the USCG. It ensures that your yacht complies with federal regulations. Documenting it is a yearly thing. USCG documentation renewal, however, is a simple process if you…
A common query from boat owners seeking documentation services is, “How do I register my boat with the Coast Guard?” It is no more difficult to register a documented vessel than to write a boat without paperwork. A documented boat may be registered simultaneously as other boats you own, making it more straightforward. When writing…
You may have dreamed of owning a vessel for many years, and finally you are able to make your ambitions come true by purchasing a second-hand boat. Once you are the proud owner of the new ship, you have to make sure that it is fully protected, and that you are free from risk if…
Did you just send in your USCG application for documentation and are wondering: “now what?” Do you have a nagging feeling in the back of your head that there’s something you have to do to stay in compliance? So many of the vessel owners we talk to didn’t get started in boating so that they…
Embarking on a USCG documentation search doesn’t have to be a challenging voyage. The National Documentation Portal is your compass, offering tips and tricks to navigate these seas efficiently and uncover the information you seek. Understanding the Importance of USCG Documentation Search Before diving into tips, it’s essential to understand why a documentation search matters….
Do you want to secure financing for your vessel? Does the idea of getting a mortgage on a boat appeal to you, but you aren’t sure what all that entails? Financing can make owning a vessel that much easier. Whether you’re using the vessel for recreation or commercially, not having to pay for the entire…
You’re all ready for your big boat trip. You’ve got everyone together, you’ve got a boat plan, you’ve got the necessary supplies, the weather is fantastic, everything is ready to go. Then, you get on the boat, and… you notice it’s out of fuel. Or, you notice the fuel line has a hole, the engine…
Every journey has a beginning. When you go out on your vessel, you could say the trip begins when you make that walk down the pier, when you get on the boat, or when you cast off from the dock itself. When it comes to vessel documentation, for many vessel owners, the journey begins with…
What Is A USCG Documented Vessel? A documented vessel is registered by the US Coast Guard (USCG), instead of numbering it by the state. But not all vessels are required for USCG documentation. Vessels that are five net tons or over can be documented. However, commercial vessels with five net tons and over are subject…
Not all ships in the US are required to be federally documented. So what Vessels are Exempt of USCG documentation? If you own a ship and you don’t operate on the navigable waters of the US, then you’re not obliged to have your boat documented. Likewise, if you’re not going to use it in fisheries…