Every vessel that navigates the navigable waters of the United States is required by law to have some Coast Guard Documentation from the Coast Guard. This document identifies the vessel by its name, as well as its kind, size, and country of origin. Additionally, it gives the captain of the vessel permission to sail the vessel in the owner’s name. If you are the boat owner, it is essential to know whether or not your vessel requires documentation from the Coast Guard and what steps you need to take to obtain that documentation. In this piece, we will go through the various kinds of paperwork and assist you in determining whether or not your boat requires any of it. In addition, we will explain how to submit an application for documentation and answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the procedure. But do you know the reason for it? Here are the reasons your watercraft need Coast Guard documentation.
To Show Proof of Ownership
It doesn’t matter whether the vessel is a canoe or a yacht; proof of ownership is necessary. You cannot prove ownership of the boat if you do not own it. Who are you to declare that it even exists if it isn’t yours if it does? If anything were to happen to the boat, the insurance company would not be obligated to pay out if it did not exist (insurance companies are notoriously picky about this sort of thing). When establishing ownership, the most reliable form of evidence is a registration certificate. It is also referred to as a Certificate of Documentation in certain circles. Anyone else claiming ownership of your vessel will have difficulty proving that they do so based on their word since the certificate provides conclusive evidence that your vessel rightfully belongs to you and no one else.
Coast Guard Documentation Can Help in The Event of an Accident or Incident
Who do you contact if you are in a dangerous situation while on the water? No one enjoys contemplating the possibility of having to call for assistance when they are hurt or in danger. However, it is critical to be well-prepared to avoid a potentially hazardous scenario escalating into a more serious one. You are unfortunate to reside in a state with a higher incidence of boating accidents. If anything were to go wrong, you would want to ensure that you are adequately protected, especially if you own property near the beach and often take your boat out in that region. Accidents involving vessels are widespread in states like Florida and California, which have a large amount of coastline, and places like Washington state and Georgia, which have waterways with a high volume of traffic.
To Prove Registration and Legal Use of The Boat
Consider whether or not the US Coast Guard registers your boat before you take it out for the first time or if you want to bring it along for your next vacation, according to americanboating.org. Despite its insignificance, it might significantly impact how much fun you have on your boat. Without proper Coast Guard Documentation, you might face heavy fines and penalties for putting your vessel out on the ocean. You’ll be fined if you don’t have an up-to-date registration, but it’s still worth ensuring you have the proper papers. Boat registration with the Coast Guard is simple and takes no time. Several internet tools are available to assist you in getting things set up correctly and quickly, making the process quick and painless.
To Allow For Easy Identification If Lost or Stolen
If your boat is stolen or lost, you will have difficulty reclaiming it if it is not adequately recorded. Coast Guard officials won’t accept your claim if you don’t have paperwork. The lack of knowledge about the vessel’s kind prevents them from issuing a warning. This issue may be resolved by determining your yacht’s market value and then requesting salvage rights. If someone has stolen your boat without permission, you’ll likely have to go through this process to get it back. There is no paperwork on the yacht, so if someone were to try to sell it as their own, they would have no way of proving their ownership. If they are detected attempting to sell or register the yacht as their own, this might generate problems for them.
To Comply With Federal Laws and Regulations
If a vessel is less than 24 feet long, it is not necessary to have Coast Guard documentation; however, documentation is required if the boat is more than 24 feet. It applies to any vessel propelled by equipment, such as an engine or motor. These types of watercraft are included in this category: sailboats, fishing boats, yachts, houseboats, and personal watercraft. The Coast Guard enforces a variety of safety regulations for vessels that are in a position to put the lives of other persons on the sea or the environment in which they are operating at risk. When you own a boat and want to take it out on the water, you must ensure that it complies with these regulations.
If your vessel requires a coast guard document, you can be sure that a professional at the Maritime Documentation Center will handle it. If you have any questions about our maritime documentation services, please call us today at (800)-535-8570, or visit our website for more information.