Here at the National Documentation Portal, we’re always glad to answer questions about boats, boat documentation, that kind of thing. One of the most commonly asked questions we hear is: “What’s the difference between a boat and ship?” While the terms are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, there are specific distinctions between them—distinctions rooted…
Ownership changes for documented vessels involve more than just handing over keys or signing a bill of sale. To ensure that these changes are legally recognized by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), a specific form must be completed: CG 1258. This form is used for the official Transfer/Exchange of Certificate of Documentation, and it…
Every documented vessel in the United States is issued a Certificate of Documentation by the U.S. Coast Guard, verifying its nationality, ownership, and eligibility for certain activities. However, compliance isn’t permanent. For most vessel owners, the Certificate of Documentation must be renewed annually using what is formally known as the CG-1280 form. At the National…
A boat’s history and legal standing can be challenging to find. Whether you’re researching a vessel before purchasing or verifying the status of your own, beginning with a boat serial number lookup is a smart move. At the National Documentation Portal, we offer a direct, easy-to-use resource for accessing the U.S. Coast Guard’s database of…
Discovering a boat’s history can begin with just one piece of information: the Hull Identification Number, or HIN. With this unique number, it’s possible to uncover valuable data tied to a vessel’s status and background. At the National Documentation Portal, we offer a straightforward way to access a boat lookup by hull number. Our portal…
Many vessel owners in the Sunshine State begin their journey by learning about Florida boat registrations—and understandably so. Registering a boat with the state is a necessary step for many recreational vessels operating in Florida waters. You may need to document your vessel federally with the USCG if it meets certain size or usage criteria….
Selling or buying a boat can be a complex process, especially so (and perhaps surprisingly so), when the sale is “as is.” An “as is bill of sale for a boat” carries specific implications for both the buyer and the seller, and understanding how to draft one correctly is important. At the National Documentation Portal,…
Just as every car has a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to establish its unique identity, every vessel has its own identification markers that serve a similar role. For undocumented recreational vessels, this identifier is the Hull Identification Number (HIN). For documented vessels, it’s the USCG Official Number. At the National Documentation Portal, we offer resources…
When vessel owners begin researching US Coast Guard documentation info, one of the first questions they ask is whether their boat needs to be documented. The answer depends on the vessel’s size, purpose, and how it will be used. At the National Documentation Portal, we help clarify these requirements and provide a secure, easy-to-use online…
Have you been looking for all of the USCG Forms that your vessel may need, but are unable to find them in one place? Are you tired of going all over the internet just to find the forms that your vessel requires? Here at the National Documentation Portal, we don’t believe that finding proper vessel…