Are you looking to purchase a recreational boat for yourself? Looking for a boat is a lot like shopping for a car or truck. There are dealerships you can turn to so you can look at new boats, but there is also a large secondary market where you can find boats for sale from dealerships,…
When you get the opportunity to buy a large boat, whether it’s for recreational or commercial purposes, it’s an important financial investment for you. Because it is so significant, you want to make sure that you do all your homework before buying, and then do everything you can to protect your investment properly after the…
You’ve been saving for years now, waiting for the opportunity to come along where you have enough to buy the recreational boat you’ve always wanted. Now that you have a good amount saved for the down payment of your vessel, you can start looking at options in the new and pre-owned markets for a boat.…
Owning a vessel is something that many people dream of but do not often get the chance to realize. However, if the opportunity comes along for you, and you have the means to make it happen, owning a boat can be one of the truly great joys of your life. As a first-time boat owner,…
You’ve spent a long time saving up and searching for just the right boat that suits your needs. Now that you’ve finally brokered the deal and purchased a boat for yourself, you do all you can to take care of it. You’ve heard that documenting your recreational vessel is a good idea and can have…
When you own a large boat like a yacht, pleasure boat, or a large commercial sailing vessel, there are many responsibilities that go along with ownership that you need to be aware of. There are specific regulations that you must follow, so your ship complies with the current maritime laws in the United States. These…
According to the U.S. Coast Guard Boarding Policy, a vessel hailed by a Coast Guard vessel is required to heave to or maneuver as directed so as to permit a boarding team to come aboard. Other Federal, state or local maritime law enforcement officials may also board and examine the vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard…
Approximately 70 percent of accidents involving fatalities occur on boats where the operator had no formal instruction on how to operate the vessel. That’s why it’s so important to have training no matter how experienced the boater is. As a result of some operator’s negligence, more than half of all states have enacted legislation mandating…
It’s forbidden by Annex V of MARPOL 73/78 to throw, discharge or deposit any refuse material of any kind, including trash, garbage, oil and other pollutants, into the waters on the USA. Regulations issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act require all vessels with propulsion machinery to have a capacity to retain oily mixtures…
Aside from your vessel documentation, there are other things to consider to sail properly in the US. The United States Coast Guard establishes minimum standards for recreational vessels and associated safety equipment and must be in compliance with its standards, specifications, and regulations for performance, construction, or materials. Life jackets Each person on board must…