If you’re a vessel owner in the United States, you first need to register your boat with the Coast Guard. You may complete writing your yacht with the United States Coast Guard online; however, you will need to have some information on hand before beginning the procedure.
If you have just acquired a boat or are in the process of registering it with the United States Coast Guard is one of the next steps you will need to do. This can be done quickly via our website, but before you get started, there are a few items you need to be sure you have.
Make Sure Your Boat Meets All Eligibility Requirements
Just what could go wrong? You may ask yourself if you’ve just purchased a boat and are ready to put it to use. In any case, you can expect difficulties registering your yacht with the United States Coast Guard if you are still familiar with the procedure.
Similar to the requirements for auto registration, boat registration in most states require the submission of basic information regarding the boat, evidence of ownership and insurance, and a marine surveyor’s report. Your boat must be at least 16 feet in length, can propel itself, and have a valid Certificate of Documentation from the Coast Guard (if required) to be registered.
Small Vessel Register Program documentation may be available for your vessel if it does not satisfy these standards but is less than five years old and has never been previously recorded by the USCG or any other country’s government.
Gather All Required Documentation to Register Your Boat
Even if the procedure to register a yacht with the coast guard has been shortened, it is only sometimes a simple process. Before you can figure out what you need to accomplish, you have first to understand why you’re engaging in this activity in the first place.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) wants every vessel operating on the ocean to be included in its database. This will allow them to better monitor boats that have been abandoned, stolen, or lost. When they get a distress call, it also helps them figure out who owns each ship because of this information.
Before you can register your boat with the coast guard, however, there are a few things you need to ensure that the coast guard never discovers it. This is because, under normal circumstances, you would prefer the coast guard not to notice your boat.
Complete the Registration Form Accurately
The second action is registering your boat with the US Coast Guard (USCG). Although this is a difficult undertaking, it is easy if you know what to do and where to go. Any vessel longer than 16 feet, heavier than 26 pounds, or powered by an engine of more than ten horsepower must be registered with the United States Coast Guard.
Having your yacht registered with us online is the simplest option. To prepare a form for you to print out and submit with payment, they will ask you questions about your vessel, like its name, weight, length, and kind of engine. If you’re unsure whether or not your boat has to be registered, need assistance filling out the registration application, or want recommendations for reputable marinas in your area, the U.S. Vessel Documentation Center is here to help.
Pay the Required Fees
Paying the necessary fees will likely be one of the first steps that will be required of you. You can pay with a credit card on this page or send a check or money order to the address listed below in the form. In either case, make sure that your payment includes your full name, address, the name of your vessel, and its hull identification number (HIN).
Suppose you do not possess a vessel but want to register a boat with the Coast Guard and are constructing that boat from the ground up. In that case, you will need to give some extra information before registering for your Certificate of Documentation. This is the case if you are building the boat from scratch. If this describes your circumstances, continue reading so we can provide you with more information about the types of documentation necessary to obtain your license.
If you’ve just acquired a previously-owned boat and it still needs to be documented with the Coast Guard, there are several documents you need to reach before it’s seaworthy and legal to operate. If it has been used after being documented, but the owner is no longer in possession of the documentation, you’ll need to contact us through our website for more information. We can also help with new vessel construction and vessel transfers.
