Do you know what you want to use your vessel for and are seeking the right way to stay in compliance with the Coast Guard? Have you reached the part of the Initial Registration form that asks for your “endorsement” and aren’t sure what to do? While there are many confusing parts to USCG documentation forms, that can be one of the more opaque. The truth is that, with the right endorsement, you’ll be able to use your vessel how you want.
USCG Documentation Forms
In this context, the word “endorsement” basically means “what you’re going to use your vessel for.” That, for example, is why the “Recreational” endorsement is one of the most popular. Plenty of people buy a vessel (even one that measures five net tons) to have a good time with friends and family. This is the endorsement you choose when you really don’t plan on using your vessel to make money, for business purposes, etc. Taking a few bucks from someone to cover gas for a boat ride is OK, of course, but if you’re going to use your vessel for certain commercial purposes, you’ll need another endorsement.
Fishery
Are you planning on using your five net ton (or more) vessel to fish on the navigable waters of the United States? Or, do you plan on using it to fish within 200 nautical miles or so off of the coast of America? If the answer to either of those questions is “yes,” then you want the Fishery endorsement. That will put you in compliance with the Coast Guard when you use that vessel. Keep in mind: you can still use your vessel for recreation if it has a “Fishery” endorsement, of course. You just can’t use a vessel with a “Recreational” endorsement for anything else.
Coastwise and Registry
Do you want to charge people to transport them from one part of the U.S. navigable waters to another? Or, alternatively, are you going to transport goods? In either of these cases, the “Coastwise” endorsement is the right choice for you. That said, if you’re going to use your vessel for commerce in foreign lands/outside of the United States, then the right endorsement is “Registry.” Keep in mind that you can change these endorsements whenever you would like. That way, you can always use your vessel how you want.
Any and All Other USCG Documentation Forms
The above blog answers just one question about one form that we offer at our site. As you may have noticed, there are plenty of other forms available there. For example, even if you complete this form and register your vessel, eventually, you’ll have to renew your registration. You can do that at our site, too. In fact, even if you forget to do so and your registration expires, you can use the “Reinstatement” form at our site to get back out on the water in full compliance. For more, head to our site.
