The MARAD waiver deals with commercial boats operating in the United States. It falls under the Jones Act and requires that boats used in commerce be built in the United States, though there are a few exceptions that allow for foreign-made vessels. The Passenger Vessel Services Act is another part of the Jones Act and…
Why Boat Size Matters to the US Coast Guard
Why does the United States Coast Guard care about boat size? The main reason is that the size determines eligibility to register with the USCG. But the number of passengers that can safely ride on the boat at one time also plays a role. This is for the protection of the boat owner, as well…
When Do You Need a Transfer of Ownership Form?
Millions of people go boating in the United States every year so it’s no surprise that you might want to sell your boat and buy a different one at some point in time. In either case, there will need to be a transfer of ownership form, whether you are transferring ownership of a boat or…
How to Undertake a USCG Vessel Documentation Search by Name
Finding relevant boat documentation can be done in a couple of ways. One such way is to do a USCG vessel documentation search by name. This can help you find a document issued by the United States Coast Guard, even if you don’t have all of the relevant information. With just a name, you can…
When is Coast Guard Registration Renewal Required?
When you own a boat, it must be registered in some capacity for legal reasons. It’s important to know that this registration must be renewed from time to time. But how will you know it’s time? Typically you will be notified when Coast Guard registration renewal is getting close. However, there are also some things…
What is a Letter of Deletion for a Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation?
Sometimes it becomes necessary to remove a boat from the USCG documentation center. When that happens, there’s a process that needs to be followed to ensure that all of the proper parties are informed of the deletion. A Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation contains all paperwork relevant to the vessel and is where a letter…
Need to Do a Coast Guard Documented Vessel Search?
If you ever need to do a Coast Guard-documented vessel search, the good news is that it is possible to do so online. Whether you want to do a search on your own boat or one you are considering buying, or one you simply need more information about, you are in the right place. Why…
Maritime Documents 101: The Differences Between Titling and Documenting a Vessel
With several types of maritime documents, you may be overwhelmed with trying to figure out what you need and don’t need. Fortunately, we are here to help you through the process. There are some differences between registering your boat with the United States Coast Guard and titling your vessel at the state level. Wondering which…
The 21st Century Way to Process USCG Vessel Documentation
USCG vessel documentation is required for boats that measure over five net tons. In the old days, the paperwork to be documented was filled out by hand and mailed in. Then you’d have to wait for the approval and the documentation to be mailed back to you. Now, in the 21st century, it’s much faster…
Why Use US Vessel Documentation Center for Vessel Registry?
Whether you’re new to boat ownership or you have been in the community for a while, it pays to understand the documentation regulations, which is something that the US vessel documentation center can help you with. Unless you’re very familiar with what the paperwork process involves, it can be beneficial to have someone guide you…