All boats registered with the federal government must choose a “hailing port.” The vessel owner must specify a hailing port on the boat when applying for a Certificate of Documentation. Once selected, the chosen port may no longer be modified and must be permanently attached to the ship if you require help. A hailing port…
Are you looking to get your next vessel but want to make sure that you have as much information as possible? Have you been doing your research yet you are uncertain if you can trust the information you’ve found? This is a problem for all prospective vessel owners. One of the best steps you can…
There is great joy involved when you purchase your first yacht. The moment you make your decision to buy the boat, whether it is brand new or from a previous owner, your thoughts immediately turn to the days, you will get to spend on the waters, traveling to new places and taking vacations in a…
After spending weeks or months looking at boat listings and going through brokerages in search for the used boat of your dreams, you’ve finally come upon one that suits you to a tee. It has all the features you want, is in good shape, and the price is right, so you’re ready to make your…
Did you recently purchase a vessel that you’re planning on using in a commercial capacity? Have you begun filling out your vessel documentation and got to the part that mentioned “endorsement” and now you feel stuck? Vessel documentation forms aren’t really made for vessel owners, exactly – they’re made for the bureaucracy, for authorities. So,…
Buying a boat is a significant investment, and chances are, you’ve done a lot of homework when it comes to making this purchase. After poring over classifieds, searching the web, or even attending shows, you’ve landed on the right vessel for you and you’re ready to pull the trigger. Just like any other major investment,…
Has something changed in your life that may potentially affect your vessel documentation but you aren’t sure? Do you feel like you need to update or file one Coast Guard form or another yet you don’t know which one it should be? Our lives change often. When they do, our vessels as well as our…
The vessel registration process has been around for a very long time, and it has been adapted to every latest change in technology. It’s relatively easy to start the process, but it can be a hassle to complete. Further, it can be difficult to determine if you even need to register your vessel. Eligibility A…
The United States offers lots of maritime activities all around the country, only matched in numbers by the amount of paperwork you need to process. The US Vessel Documentation Center website is here to help you out! Say goodbye to the old days of sending letters and making endless lines at some US Coast Guard…
Has it been some time since you received your initial documentation and now you’re wondering whether you should renew your US Coast Guard documentation? Do you worry that you may have missed the deadline? Of all the reasons that folks use our site, perhaps the most common is to renew their documentation. We know how…