Are you a boat owner for the US Coast Guard concerned about the impact the government shutdown might have on your job? Have no fear – there are ways to get a small vessel MARAD waiver and keep your career moving forward. In the next blog article, we will go through the actions you need to complete to receive this waiver and maintain your current employment status. The Coast Guard is looking out for your well-being when you’re out on the water, but they don’t want to get in the way of you living your life to the fullest. Because of this, they have the MARAD Waiver for Small Vessels available. Continue reading for some helpful advice on securing this waiver and maintaining your boating rights if you own a boat and have a profession that needs you to travel often.
Take a Boating Safety Class
We all know boaters with certificates from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) get special treatment from the Coast Guard. If you haven’t been convicted of a boating infraction within the last five years or haven’t failed to renew your license in the last five years, you may be eligible for a small vessel waiver, which will allow you to maintain your work.
To show the US Coast Guard that you take your duties as the operator of a small vessel seriously, you need to enroll in a boating safety course. After all, you’re more likely to be aware of the restrictions on the water if you’re willing to spend an hour out of your day to understand the regulations and safety procedures regulating small watercraft. It’s your best chance to avoid taking a course unless you have a strong reason not to (such as being under 18 or incapacitated).
Keep Your Vessel in Good Condition
Make sure your ship is seaworthy before you use it as a mode of transportation to and from the office. Follow the guidelines below to ensure your vessel is by the Small Vessel MARAD Waiver and local regulations. The first thing to do is to examine the ship’s Certificate of Documentation or Title. You may have to go through the trouble of reflagging the vessel as a recreational one or risk being denied the waiver if it is already registered as a commercial vessel.
Consider disabling anything that might lead to your vessel being classified as a commercial vessel. Next, give your boat a good scrub with some soapy water or, better yet, an antifouling chemical. You should dry all surfaces after washing them. This sanitization is necessary to prevent the spread of potentially dangerous aquatic organisms to inland waterways that may have been brought on board.
File A Float Plan With A Friend Or Family Member To Get A Small Vessel MARAD Waiver
If you own a sailboat, kayak, or canoe, you know how simple it is for your craft to get into problems when you’re far from land and have no way to contact you. If you’re on a sinking boat and you contact your insurance company with the last of your battery life to tell them, “I’m going down with the ship,” the insurance company may not be able to get in touch with anybody to let them know what happened to you.
There’s a chance that no one will be able to locate your boat if they start seeking you after you fail to go to work or contact your loved ones. That’s why the Coast Guard gives out exemptions to those who sail for fun to keep their employment. You need these waivers if your profession requires you to be on a boat (like a fisherman) or you might lose your job due to circumstances beyond your control. Get them by making an emergency float plan with a trusted party.
Carry Proof of Insurance And Registration
Although liability insurance is usually a must for docking your boat at many marinas, this doesn’t imply that boat ownership is necessary for enjoying the water. You may be surprised at how cheap it is to hire a private individual for a day or two of use. If you don’t want to purchase a boat just yet or don’t have enough space in your yard, marinas also offer boat rentals. Get boating liability insurance and general liability insurance before signing any release. This will ensure that if you accidentally damage someone else’s dock or cause their boat to break down, they may seek financial restitution from your policy. If the coverage includes protection against injury or death, everyone concerned will feel even more secure.
A vessel under 300 gross tons and less than 79 feet in length may qualify for the Small Vessel MARAD Waiver. This waiver allows a vessel owner to sail without obtaining a license, but the owner must fill out some paperwork before embarking on their voyage. The following information outlines how to fill out this waiver paperwork and includes a link to contact the U.S. Vessel Documentation Center at (800) 340-7580 for more information.
