Do you want to get the right US Coast Guard vessel documentation for your vessel, but aren’t sure where to begin? Does the entire idea of vessel documentation feel opaque or even confusing? As vessel owners ourselves, we were in those same shoes. “Filling out vessel documentation” sounds like “taking a math test” yet for all of us, high school was a long time ago. That’s what led us to create this site: a place where vessel owners could find the forms they need and fill them out quickly.
Initial US Coast Guard Vessel Documentation
If your vessel measures at least five net tons, and you’re using it for fishing or in coastwise trade on America’s navigable waters or in the Exclusive Economic Zone, then yes, you have to document your vessel. However, you can still choose to document your vessel should it measure five net tons. Remember: “net tons” measures volume, not weight. If your vessel is 25 feet in length or longer, it more than likely weighs five net tons. As with everything else in this blog, you can find these forms at our site.
Renewal
Once you’ve gone through the US coast guard vessel documentation process for your vessel, you’re good to go. Specifically, you’re good to go for one year. After that, you have to get your vessel documentation renewed. Yes, it may seem like a pain, but every year, you have to renew this. You have to renew it every year, that is, unless you go through our site. Here, we’ve made it possible to renew for up to five years in advance. Instead of you having to worry about it, our pros can take care of it for you. If you know you’re going to stick with this vessel for the next five years, we want to make things easier on you.
Reinstatement if Necessary
Unfortunately, sometimes, things happen. Maybe you meant to renew your vessel documentation but never did. Perhaps you remembered at “the last minute,” only to find that “the last minute” was actually “long after your documentation expired.” If that’s the case, we can help you then, too. At our site, you can find everything you need to reinstate your vessel documentation. That way, you can continue to use your vessel in the manner that you would like even if the documentation expired.
All of the Endorsements and More
Every documented vessel is different. They’re used for different purposes. That’s why there are different endorsements that your documentation might have. For example, if you’re going to use it for Fishery, there’s an endorsement for that. Should you use it entirely in coastwise trade, there’s an endorsement for that, too. “Registry” is used for vessels that will be used in foreign trade. “Recreation” is what it sounds like: you’re using the vessel to have a good time. Of course, all vessels can be used for recreation. Should you have any questions about this or anything else in regards to documenting your vessel, contact us.
