Whether you are purchasing a car, a house, a boat, or another large item, you know there is going to be paperwork involved. Even doing something as simple as signing up for a gym membership or buying a new washer and dryer means you have forms to fill out and sign before everything is done.…
USCG Documentation Vs. State Registration: A Complete Guide
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…
Tips for Avoiding Pollution with Your USCG Documented Vessel
As the owner or operator of a USCG documented vessel, you know how important it is that we preserve our waterways’ pristine conditions. Even with the best intentions, however, it’s possible that you could be unknowingly polluting the water while you’re out at sea. In order to avoid any inadvertent contamination of the waterways that…
Do You Need To Obtain Maritime Documents For Your Vessel?
You are the proud owner of a brand new vessel, and have been dreaming of this day for a long time. However, just as you start to live the life that you have always wanted, you discover that things are not as simple as they may seem. One area where you may struggle is in…
Application For Initial Exchange or Replacement of Certificate of Documentation
Are you looking forward to the application for initial exchange or replacement of certificate of documentation? If so, you should know that certain vital documents and paperwork must be filled out to complete the procedure. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when it comes to paperwork. In order to transfer ownership of an already-documented boat, the…
What is a Hailing Port – and other Vessel Questions
“Preferred Ship’s Mortgage,” “Hailing Port,” “MARAD” – vessel documentation is full of odd phrases you probably don’t hear in other walks of life. That’s just one part of the documentation that makes it a bit opaque and confusing to people, even those who have been dealing with it for years. Of course, it doesn’t help…