“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…
If you are planning on selling your boat, you will need to do your research about the US Coast Guard documented vessel bill of sale and how it might apply to you. These documents can be the best way to settle your connection to a vessel and ensure that you are not blamed for any…
If you’ve ever shopped for something online, then you know how hard it can be to find the exact thing that you want. Sure, when you go online, you’ll be able to find so many different options and be exposed to things that you didn’t even know existed. However, it can be difficult to find…
It always seems like that no matter what we must do in life, there is paperwork to go along with it. Everywhere you go, and everything you buy seems to come with some document that you must sign or something you must apply for. Making a large purchase like buying a yacht or other pleasure…
To be clear, the title of this blog, “a certificate of documentation: certificate to make money” is meant metaphorically, not literally. The phrase “certificate to make money” has been used throughout time to describe an opportunity that allows a person to make more money than they would have otherwise. It can safely be said of…
Anyone thinking about buying a new vessel needs to have as much information about the boat as possible before they put down any money. The seller might offer you some details about the vessel, but they often don’t have a clear history, and it makes sense to check everything they say against official evidence. By…
Having all of your documentation in order before a trip out on the water is essential for boat owners. Even if you don’t own a boat, it’s good to know what kind of boat documentation you’ll need to go underway legally. One of the most critical responsibilities of a boat owner is to ensure proper…
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) devised a system for renewing mariner credentials and verifying paperwork to avoid fraud while you renew boat registration documentation. Because of prior accidents, the government has the option of revoking your driver’s license. You want to be sure that you aren’t a victim of fraud when it comes to…
Part of the evidence that you will be required to send when you apply for USCG vessel documentation will be proof that you are an established US citizen. Only people who have this status may apply to document their boat in the US, and if you do not have this then you will not be…
Did something change in your life in regards to you and/or your vessel? Does it feel like you should update your ship documentation but you aren’t sure if it’s the right move (or even how to do so?) We created the Maritime Documentation Center for exactly that scenario (among many others). As you know from…
When we think of “happiness” in connection to a watercraft, multiple images may come to mind: a wild party with hundreds of your oldest friends as well as some new ones. Maybe you think about looking out over the railing during a sunset with a beloved. Or perhaps, alternatively, you can imagine riding a boat…
You are the proud owner of a new boat, and want to put it to sea as soon as possible after the purchase completes. If you are intending to use the boat for anything other than pleasure – even once a year – then you will need to submit an application to be registered with…
Do you know what you want to use your vessel for, but aren’t sure how to keep in compliance with Coast Guard documentation? When you get to the part of the “initial” form that mentions “endorsement,” does it all seem a bit confusing? That’s perfectly understandable. As vessel owners ourselves, we wanted to make the…
What’s in a name? For some, the name of their boat is something they’ve thought of for years. In idle daydreams or going through several drafts, many potential vessel owners have had their perfect vessel name picked out for years, possibly going back to childhood. For others, it’s the last thing they think about, something…
The Internet has vastly changed the way most of us do any type of shopping today. Not only can we get items like food, clothing, and gifts sent to wherever we need them, shopping can go far beyond that now. You can start and even make all the big purchases in your life just using…