Buying a second hand boat can be the start of fulfilling a dream of sailing the ocean or expanding your business by shipping to nearby countries. Buying a vessel is usually uncomplicated, and the documents change hands with very little problem. However, if you want to reassure yourself that you are not wasting your money…
I Have a Commercial Vessel. Can I Use It How I Want? Possibly. It depends on many different factors. Those factors include the commercial activities that you would use the vessel in, whether it was built in the United States or not, the net tonnage of the vessel, and other factors. What’s the Definition of…
One of the great joys of having a boat is actually using the boat. Sure, a boat may look nice when it’s docked or in storage, but there’s nothing like being on your boat out on the water. To glide through the waves while you race through the water on your boat is a simple,…
If you’re a boat owner, it’s essential to ensure your vessel complies with United States Coast Guard (USCG) regulations. One way to do this is by conducting a USCG name search. However, conducting a name search with the US Coast Guard is an essential safety step that is frequently skipped over. Visiting the website of…
Now that you are the proud owner of a yacht, pleasure vessel or commercial vessel, you want to take steps to get your boat listed as part of the federal registry with the Coast Guard. If your vessel is commercial, there is a legal requirement for you to have boat documentation; for recreational vessels of…
If you want to register your vessel with the United States Coast Guard, you may do it in two ways: via USCG documentation or through state registration. Vessels registered under the International Registration Plan may be exempt from USCG documentation requirements and register with a state other than their home port. In places where there…
At our site, you can find the easiest, most direct path to the top NOAA fisheries vessel documentation search. Some of you may be looking a bit askance at that, as you may know, the United States Coast Guard doesn’t provide NOAA Fisheries with vessel ownership info anymore. Instead, it’s all run through the place…
You are about to commit to purchasing a vessel from the previous owner, and want to know more about the boat before you put down the final payment. Just as you would want time to consider before making a large purchase such as a house or car, or even a diamond ring, so you should…
Have you been considering documenting your vessel but aren’t sure if it’s the right course of action? Does it feel like the cons may outweigh the pros when it comes to boat documentation? Yes, there are those who have to document their vessels. They don’t have a choice, not if they want to use their…
When it comes to buying a boat, there are many factors to consider in addition to the cost of the vessel. How an abstract of title will apply to your vessel, in particular, is an essential aspect to take into account. An abstract of title is a history of the vessel and may provide you…
The day that you finalized the purchase of your boat was thrilling. You got the keys and your paperwork, and you knew you were going to get to spend as much time as you wanted traveling on the open waters with family and friends. While this was a happy day for you, it likely also…
“How do I obtain an abstract of title for my vessel online?” is a question we frequently receive here at the Maritime Documentation Center. First and foremost, you must understand what an abstract title is. An Abstract of Title for a vessel is a legal document that proves that you are the legal owner of…
If you are the owner of a USCG vehicle, you may be wondering how I get an abstract of title. Prospective purchasers sometimes want an essence of title to finalize a sale of a vessel since it documents your vessel’s ownership history. You need to know this if you’re trying to sell your USCG boat…
It can be easy to get confused about what responsibilities fall under different government agencies and departments. Sometimes it can seem like there is more red tape than is necessary, and departments exist without anyone knowing what they actually do each day. As a boat owner, you are probably aware that the United States Coast…
“I know I have to get my boat registration done, but I can do it later.” If you’re like so many vessel owners, you’ve probably had that thought. In fact, you’ve probably had it multiple times in a day. That’s perfectly understandable, as there’s nothing exactly fun, glamorous or exciting about filling out your boat…