Does acquiring USCG vessel documentation seem complicated, or at least more complicated than it should be? Even though you know you have to get your vessel documented, have you found yourself putting it off? That’s perfectly understandable. As busy as we all are, it’s not always easy to carve out space in the day to…
When you own and operate a boat, you must adhere to USCG Boat Lettering Requirements, which detail how and where you need to display your boat number and name. Keep in mind that you can identify your boat as state-registered or federally registered, but not both. That means that if your boat is registered at…
Your United States Coast Guard registration is a one-and-done kind of event. You will have to renew it on a regular basis, which keeps it current and accurate at all times. By keeping up with the renewal process, you invest in your boat on a long-term basis by paying attention to compliance, safety and other…
Sustainability is a hot topic right now and it’s trending in many industries. It’s a practice of preserving our natural resources and maritime matters are no exception to the rule. Being sustainable is important for protecting the oceans and the creatures that live in them. Proper vessel documentation plays a role in this in a…
As a boat owner, there are several processes that you may need to do to document your boat properly with the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard has a division dedicated to vessel documentation called the National Vessel Documentation Center, or NVDC for short. The NVDC handles all the paperwork involved in documentation of…
Anytime you engage in a buying or selling transaction that involves a watercraft, the Boat Bill of Sale becomes a very important piece of paperwork that goes with the process. It exists to outline the terms and conditions of the sale and is a legally binding document. With that in mind, it’s important to be…
Understanding the U.S. Coast Guard requirements and staying familiar with them is an important part of owning a boat. If you happen to get stopped while out on the water, which is usually a routine check, you will be required to produce documentation for your vessel, much like you do when pulled over on the…
Do you want to sell your boat trailer? A bill of sale is an important document that goes along with the transaction, so understanding it, as well as the process for completing the forms is important. A lot of vital information is contained on the bill of sale, so making sure it’s accurate is also…
When you complete the documentation necessary to register your boat with the United States Coast Guard, you may be able to finance the vessel with a preferred ship mortgage. Much like the mortgage on your house, this allows you to make payments on your boat, which can make it a more achievable option for many…
Acquiring, financing, and maintaining your vessel can require a lot of work – sometimes more than most people realize. There is more to becoming a vessel owner than making a few payments, and there is much more to being a vessel owner than the occasional maintenance work. Vessels require all sorts of special documentation depending…