You received a letter in the mail from the Coast Guard reminding you to renew your USCG documentation. Maybe you have never renewed it before, or perhaps this is your first renewal.
Either way, you may have some questions about the process and how much it costs. Like registering a car, renewing documentation does not come with a complicated procedure; however, it requires some time and patience.
Due to recent legislation, the Coast Guard has changed its renewal procedures from one year to five years.
Expiration of the vessel’s documentation may affect any renewal application made toward the expired certificate or affect any change or amendment to the owner’s existing record.
According to federalregister.gov, the Coast Guard requires submitting an appraisal by a qualified marine surveyor that values both the vessel and the improvements.
As this can be a costly process, it is recommended that you begin the renewal process well before the expiration date.
What Happens When Your United States Coast Guard Documentation Expires?
While out at sea, you are likely thinking about the next stop and what fun activities await you. It is possible that while out on the water, you did not realize that one of your duties is to ensure that your vessel documentation is up-to-date as well.
When your Coast Guard vessel documentation expires, there are steps you can take to remedy the situation. If you were to take your vessel out for another cruise without Coast Guard vessel documentation renewal, then you may be subject to law enforcement action by the U.S. Coast Guard.
This action can impose a hefty fine along with court fees as well. It will also incur immigration and seizure of your vessel.
The USCG documentation for a vessel is essential for any boat that wants to be out on the open seas.
A documented vessel gives us the ability to sail in and out of ports of our choosing.
Re-Certification through the USCG
If you are looking to recertify through the government and coast guard, you may have some questions about recertification.
When do I renew? What is the process for USCG recertification? These questions can be answered by reviewing the information available on this site and the provided links for further research.
By going to the coast guard’s website, you will find answers to what option is best for your type of boat. Whether you decide to go through a third party or go directly to the USCG to renew, making adjustments early in the season can help save you money and headaches later in the year.
Make sure you make educated decisions when renewing boat certification so that you maintain your insurance coverage at a low cost.
It is your responsibility to pay attention to details so that your boat is compliant with industry standards and regulations, making your boating experiences effortless.
How to Renew Your Documentation
Renewing your documentation is not as easy as you may think. You do have to do things properly, or else you risk having your renewal application get rejected and delayed for several months.
The biggest obstacle people face when renewing documentation is finding out which forms to fill out. There are several applications where you have to fill out your application number, vessel name, type of vessel, etc.
So, it is a good idea to go through the entire process of documentation renewal as a part of preparation.
Steps To Renew Your USCG Documentation
All mariners must renew their USCG documentation on an annual basis. If you fail to renew your documentation by the end of the year, it automatically expires.
However, the United States Coast Guard makes it easy to renew your expired documentation. Before you get started, please remember that you have thirty days past your expiration date to file for the renewal of your document without any issues.
Using a U.S. Coast Guard online processing firm or mailing in a CG-1280 Renewal Form, you can do this. You can renew your documentation online.
Ensure to avoid any unnecessary expenses and delays in your shipment. In order to renew, you will have to pay a small fee of $5.
While paperwork for USCG documentation is pretty straightforward, the renewal process does require some time and attention to detail. Unless you run into issues along the way, there are no complicated procedures or legal hoops to jump through.
Just make sure you do it well before your initial expiration date—better safe than sorry. Plus, there’s nothing worse than having your boat taken out of commission until everything has been processed.
Consulting an expert can make the process easier for you; therefore, using the U.S. Vessel Documentation Center is highly recommended. If you are unsure which vessel meets its requirements or does not, we can submit a report on its condition and value.
