Any vessel with a volume of at least ?ve net tons, one that is wholly owned by a U.S. citizen, can be documented. With the online services of Maritime Documentation Center, staying updated with your boat documentation is a straightforward process. You can have the whole process complete from the comfort and convenience of your home, whether you do it from a computer or a mobile device.
The benefits of Boat Documentation
However, you may be wondering about the advantages of documenting your vessel. Here are some reasons to consider documenting your vessel:
- Foreign Navigation. If you travel to foreign waters, the Certi?cate of Documentation makes for easier clearance with foreign authorities. In addition, due to the multiple trade agreements between the United States and foreign nations, having a vessel documented with the U.S. government can offer you certain protections.
- Security. If your vessel is ever stolen and bought across state lines, tracking your stolen vessel is much easier with federally-documented proof of ownership.
- Easier Financing. The way most banks feel secure when giving out loans is to require vessels to be federally documented with the United States Coast Guard, and to have a First Preferred Ship’s Mortgage recorded against the vessel. This means that the lender has a right to the vessel until the debt owed by the vessel owner is fully discharged. The document is enforceable throughout the U.S. and its territories.
- Lifetime Documentation. Once you register your vessel, it will stay documented for the duration of its life. Since the vessel’s documentation ID number stays the same, you aren’t required to go through any arduous renewal processes. Furthermore, the subsequent owners do not have to document the vessel anew. While there is an annual update form that is required by the U.S. Coast Guard, it does not require an additional fee, and will be automatically sent out to you 45 days in advance of its expiration date.
Maritime Documentation Center is here to help with your Boat Documentation
If you are considering to have your boat documentation updated and have any questions about the process, please contact the Maritime Documentation Center at (800) 535-8570, or email us at info@usvesselregistrar.us