Are you wondering how you can conduct a successful Coast Guard vessel documentation search? If so, the U.S Vessel Documentation Center has you covered. Suppose you are the vessel owner that the United States Coast Guard records; you must know how to successfully search if a crew member goes missing. You can assure that everyone on board is accounted for promptly and securely by following these simple pointers and putting them into action. In the event of a crisis, it is important for you, the owner of a USCG vessel, to be as well prepared as possible. A recorded vessel search is one example of this kind of situation. The following are some suggestions that can assist you in making your search as fruitful as possible.
Make Sure Your Vessel Is Properly Registered with The Coast Guard
The Coast Guard maintains a database of registered vessels open to the public and may be searched for free online. If you are searching for a vessel that has gone missing, you should begin your Coast Guard vessel documentation search there. If you have a vessel that has been reported missing, the Coast Guard can assist you in registering the loss and removing the vessel from your responsibility.
(The vessel does not need to be gone before this occurs; the Coast Guard may assist if it has sunk or been stolen.) You might be asking yourself why you should bother with any of this in the first place. The answer is straightforward: if you register your vessel with the Coast Guard, you will make it simpler for yourself to file a report of its loss if anything from it goes missing. In addition to this, the database maintained by the Coast Guard may be searched by anyone, even if they do not have access to the internet.
Keep Up-To-Date Contact Information on File with The Coast Guard
Make sure the Coast Guard has your current contact information. The Coast Guard has always had access to a vessel owner’s contact information, such as a phone number or email address, but you must keep this information up to date to receive any response from them. Communication via phone is sometimes the only option for ships that don’t dock at a permanent location.
According to ecfr.gov, you should keep track of your vessels at all times, and if you change addresses, be sure to let everyone know where you can be reached (or they do). Even while the Coast Guard has always had access to a vessel owner’s contact information, such as a phone number or email address, the owner is responsible for keeping this information up to date. Communication via phone is often the only option for ships without a permanent docking location. In the event of a crisis, it is imperative that the Coast Guard can reach you without delay.
Give The Coast Guard Accurate Information About Your Voyage Plans
The captain’s level of transparency before setting sail is perhaps the most important factor differentiating a safe and fruitful journey from a recorded Coast Guard vessel documentation search. The Coast Guard will mostly want to know the reason for the trip and its final destination, but they may also inquire where you will be staying before setting off and when you plan to return. If you want to make things simpler for them and you, provide as much information as possible.
Tell them where you’ll be sleeping (hotels, friends’ houses, the boat itself), what the weather forecast looks like, and whether or not any local animals may pose a hazard to your party. The best way to ensure that the information you offer them regarding your journey is correct is to research before you depart. If you can’t find out which ports can accommodate your ship, then offer them an estimate based on the number of people on board; if you believe it should take eight days, but it’s closer to 10, then say so.
Install A VHF Radiotelephone or EPIRB For the Coast Guard Vessel Documentation Search
In an emergency, boaters may use a free service provided by the Coast Guard called the documented vessel search. If you register your vessel with the Coast Guard, they will be ready to assist you if you run into any difficulties. When registering your boat, check to see that it already has a VHF radiotelephone installed (or at least a 406 MHz Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon, also known as an EPIRB). This will make it simpler for the Coast Guard to locate you and allow you to maintain contact with your loved ones and friends. Make sure that every family member knows how to use the radio equipment and that everyone has the necessary contact information for each other in an emergency.
If you are planning to apply for U.S. vessel documentation, you will need to get your boat inspected by the Coast Guard. To make your search more efficient and successful, contact the U.S. Vessel Documentation Center at (800) 340-7580 before you start the process. The following tips can help you make the most of your Coast Guard vessel documentation search and avoid some common pitfalls.
