Taking care of your boat registration and other maritime documents can be overwhelming when you are not super informed about the actual processes involved. If you are looking to register a boat, there are three different circumstances that you will need to consider. If you got a new vessel, you will need to register it.…
Any maritime vessel that gets documentation from the US Coast Guard has generated what is called an “Abstract of Title”, which is also called a general index. We’ll go more into depth in this article about what’s on this document, but it generally includes information about the vessel, ownership and financial history, and its current…
The MARAD waiver is a Maritime Administration mechanism meant for foreign-built vessels. After all, the Jones Act requires that the vessels operating in coastwise commerce be built domestically whenever possible. The MARAD small vessel waiver program recognizes that foreign-built vessels can also contribute to American commerce, which is why it grants waivers to certain vessels…
Do you think you need to get Coast Guard boat registration but aren’t sure? Have you thought about getting your boat registered yet don’t know if it’s absolutely necessary? Vessel owners like yourself have wondered about that exact thing for centuries. In fact, in America, vessel documentation goes back to the very first Congress. There…
Have you been procrastinating on filling out the vessel documentation forms you may need? Do you think your vessel may require some boat documentation forms but aren’t sure which ones are right for your situation? Are you tired of going from site to site looking for the vessel documentation forms you may need? Those are…
When you buy yourself a luxury recreational vessel like a yacht, you spend significant time researching, looking at the options, and going over specifics so that you get just what you want. The process is not always an easy one for you, but it is worth the time and effort that you put into it.…
Have you been struggling to find the information you can trust about foreign vessels? Did you find the perfect vessel to buy, yet it’s in another country and you aren’t all that sure about its history? Here at the Maritime Documentation Center, we know how important it is to have all of the information you…
Have you been trying to learn all you can about a vessel for a prospective purchase? Are you concerned that, once you purchase the vessel, you’re going to find something out that makes it a bad decision in retrospect? These are common concerns that people in your position have had for decades if not centuries.…
Buying your boat may have seemed like the most complicated part for you. You had to deal with getting the price, working with the manufacturer (if you are buying new), or with a broker (if you purchased a used ship), and the paperwork may have seemed like it would never end. Even after you have…
Spring is a time of renewal. The flowers are blooming, the leaves are sprouting, and the air is warming up. If you own your recreational vessel, you’ve probably been thinking about taking it back out on the water. Perhaps you’ve done so already. On some spring days, it can feel a little chill. However, on…
The United States Coast Guard requires that vessel paperwork be updated every five years. By not being diligent, you might wind up renewing USCG documentation for a shorter period than you intended and going through the procedure again sooner than you had anticipated. In recent years, there have been modifications to the renewal process, and…
Buying a yacht or recreational vehicle can be a big thrill for you and gives you the chance to achieve a lifelong dream of yours to own a boat like this. Many people find that purchasing a boat on the secondary market from a private seller or broker is the best way to get the…
If you want to start a business venture which uses a vessel, then you will need to have the right documentation before you set off. A venture which involves the use of a boat or ship faces very specific regulation that involves applying for documentation. You can use our Coast guard registration portal to apply…
One thing we’ve learned over the years about USCG documentation forms: they weren’t named with regular people in mind. It’s been our experience that most people who own boats would much rather be on their boats than filling out some form. These are legal forms, designed by lawyers and legislators, so they can be a…
One topic we’ve touched on from time to time in these blogs is how to register a boat with the Coast Guard. We’ve mentioned this a few times for many reasons, not the least of which is that it’s very important. This is one of the most commonly accessed forms at our site; you can…