As you probably already know, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the United States Armed Forces. Their mission is to protect America’s maritime borders, facilitate the legitimate use of the waterways, and suppress violations of US Federal law. How do they achieve…
Do you remember the feeling of being in school and discovering that, no, you didn’t have your homework? Hopefully, this never happened to you, but it happened to some of us. That feeling can come back (and even worse) if you should get caught on your vessel without the proper documentation. Of course, the stakes…
Buying a recreational or commercial vessel is a big step for you to take. Whether you are starting up a commercial fishing or charter business, or just purchased the yacht of your dreams so that you can sail where you want when you want, you have a lot of time, money, and effort invested in…
At the Maritime Documentation Services, we believe that many boats should have the proper kind of documentation. However, it’s important to note that we’re not trying to sell you on documentation. There are plenty of vessels that should have US Coast Guard vessel registration and plenty of vessels that shouldn’t. We’re not here to sell…
Accessing the Coast Guard documents that you need for your vessel is easier than ever. Of course, it might not always seem that way. That’s where our service comes in. When you use our site, you can get all of the documents you need right in the palm of your hands. That means that you…
“How can I register a boat?” “I just bought this vessel I’d been searching for forever, now how can I register it?” Those are some of the questions that bring people to our site, however, those are just some of them. Sure, registering your vessel is one of the many important documentation tasks that you…
When it comes to boating safely this spring and summer, we’re all kind of in uncharted waters. Yes, thankfully, in so many parts of the country, it looks like the COVID-19 pandemic may be receding. More and more businesses are able to safely open up, folks are able to go outside and live their lives…
In all of our blogs, we try to give our readers something they might not have had before. We try to point out something different and new about our site or explain a form that they might not have encountered before. Many of these forms are filled with what’s colloquially referred to as “legalese.” That…
No one wants to head out on the water worried that their vessel fails to comply with US Coast Guard boat requirements. These requirements, at times, can seem capricious, if not downright contradictory and confusing. Each moment spent worried about them or being in compliance with them is a moment not spent enjoying your boat…
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…
An abstract of title is a necessity if you own a USCG vessel. When it comes to owning a USCG vessel, an abstract of title is essential. What is the title’s abstract? This paper proves that you own the boat and are protected by federal maritime law. When it comes to abstracts, do you know…
There is a lot more to owning a boat than just having it at the marina and taking it out when you want to sail or fish. Yes, regular maintenance is required to help keep your ship safe and seaworthy, but there are also laws and regulations you need to be aware of so you…
As the owner of a USCG-documented vessel, you are probably aware that there are certain rules and regulations you need to follow. One of the most important of these rules is to keep your information up to date so that the United States Coast Guard is able to contact you whenever it is needed to.…
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…