Recreational boating can be fun and exciting, while commercial boating can be a lucrative way to make a living. In their case, there are guidelines that you must follow as a responsible boat owner, as well as safety considerations to keep in mind anytime you hit the water, inland, and on the ocean. Your Coast Guard vessel documentation provides a link to the safety of the vessel. How? Keep reading to find out.
Coast Guard Vessel Documentation Aids in Safety
You might be surprised that a pile of papers ensures your safety on the water, but that’s just what they do. Your boat’s documentation is designed to prove compliance with maritime rules and regulations, including those that are directly associated with safety. The variety of forms you will be responsible for submitting starts with the original registration and also encompasses all renewals and transfers.
Safety Compliance
When you own a boat, you will find that there is a list of safety regulations that you must adhere to. By having the right documentation, you prove that you are following such rules by providing essential information that pertains to your vessel. This includes up-to-date information about your safety equipment and practices, as well as data about the boat’s construction and its crew members and passengers.
It’s a Legal Requirement
It’s legally required, as a boat owner, to keep your vessel documentation current and accurate at all times. In fact, without the proper paperwork, you cannot legally operate your boat. If you do so anyway and are caught, you could face a loss of your permit, as well as other legal fines and penalties. Staying safe and legal means paying attention to all documentation requirements.
Transfer of Ownership
If you buy or sell a boat, it’s imperative to legally transfer ownership by submitting the appropriate paperwork right away. Having current ownership records is vital, especially in instances where a boat is lost or stolen or faces an emergency on the water that requires Coast Guard assistance. It also places safety regulations for the boat into the right hands. To expedite search and rescue operations, proper documentation is important and can save lives.
Renewals
It’s also legally required that you renew your boat documentation according to the appropriate schedule for your vessel. This is part of ensuring that your paperwork is valid and up to date. Failure to do so can result in fines and penalties that are easily avoided.
Historical Records
Your documentation acts as a historical record and creates a timeline of your maritime activity. Not only does this create a story of your boat’s voyages and past owners, but it also creates a record for historians and maritime enthusiasts. Studying this documentation can help enhance safety and other lessons from past boating incidents, which increases safety now and in the future.
If you need more good reasons to keep your Coast Guard vessel documentation current and free of errors, we can give them to you. Contact the US Vessel Documentation Center today.
