Whether you are looking to buy a brand-new boat from a manufacturer or you have turned to the secondary market so you can purchase a vessel from a private owner or broker, at some point you will find that you need to do work with the Coast Guard. It may be that you want more…
If a ship has been registered with the United States Coast Guard, it is a documented vessel (USCG). The documentation program assigns a unique official number to the boat, subsequently permanently inscribed into the ship’s interior by the documentation team. The vessel has satisfied all relevant U.S. Coast Guard rules, and criteria are shown by…
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…
A “hailing port” is undoubtedly a familiar word to boat owners, but what does it mean? When you get your boat registered and licensed, you’ll need to use a hailing port. There are times when you will need to designate a different hailing port than the one listed as your home port. While these two…
Did you do work on or for someone’s boat and they never paid you what they said they would? Have you felt frustrated and angered, like there’s nothing you can do? It may seem that way, but it’s not the case. There is a way to fight back, to get the owner to pay you…
You have made the decision to purchase a yacht and have moved forward with the transaction. Whether you are buying new from the manufacturer or from a private seller, you will still have decisions you need to make regarding your vessel. There may be things you want to do that are decorative or restorative, or…
“Have the right kind of personal flotation device.” If you’ve ever read an article about boat safety or taken a course, that’s one thing they always mention. This makes sense, as it’s critically important to have the right kind of personal flotation device should something awful happen. It’s important to not just have one of…
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…
The excitement you feel at the prospect of buying a boat may be unmeasurable. It does not matter if the boat is for your personal recreational use or for part of your business; just the fact that you are going to own a vessel is enough to make you smile. Before you get too far…
You have previously registered your boat with the US Coast Guard, and are now able to sail the seas whenever you want. These certificates are not designed to be granted forever, and eventually you will need to renew your boat documentation before the certificate expires. It is important to submit an early USCG renewal application form…