As you may have heard by now, if you are on the boat’s universe, the vessel’s certificate of documentation (COD) lasts longer now: if you sail on a recreational boat you can extend your certificate for 5 years every time it expires. If you want to know more about this new regimentation keep reading while we shed some light on the subject
Good News for Boat Owners
2022 has begun with exciting news when it comes to boat owners. Starting January 2022, the Vessel Certificate of Documentation will now last five years: until now recreational boats registered within the US Coast Guard had to renew their CoD every year.
From the beginning of 2019 until the end of 2021, the vessel owners were able to choose their renewal periods from 1 to 5 years. Now that is not possible anymore, after Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard’s Authorization Act of 2018.
The rate is fixed and its value is the same as what it would have cost to renew the CoD year by year. Refunds are not issued for selling your boat with a current registration or for choosing to cancel your documentation.
If your boat is commercial, you will have to keep renewing your documents yearly.
Some Numbers of the Matter
The new regimentation is intended to save both the US Coast Guard and boat owners time and money.
The Federal Register estimates recreational vessel owners will see savings of approximately $700.000 yearly during the next ten years, with more than 150.000 boat owners affected.
Since the annual renewals the US Coast Guard processes will decline they expect to save almost $1.000.000 each year.
As you may know, every commercial vessel has to be documented with the USCG, and recreational vessels with more than five net tons can choose between documenting their boat with the US Coast Guard or at a state level.
Most boat owners prefer to document their vessels within the US Coast Guard, as this allows them to travel internationally because of the worldly recognition of the Certificate of Documentation. In other words, it makes it easier for them to enter and leave foreign ports.
Process your Certificate of Documentation Renewal at Vessel Documentation Online
We have some other good news: every other document you need to process can be done at Vessel Documentation Online.
So if you want to avoid incurring late fees and having to reinstate your vessel certificate of documentation instead of having to renew it or you want someone reminding you when to submit your forms, then we have got your back.
Just head back to the home page, find the form you need to issue, fill it up and let us do the rest!