We take pride in saying that the United States is a free country and the Marad Waiver is no exception. Our country has certain regulations in place that benefit domestic commerce. To prioritize American vessel-owners and home-built boats, the Maritime Administration has certain protections to regulate who has access to commerce between domestic ports. Vessel…
Of all of the questions that we get asked, this might be the most common. Knowing what to do with your vessel doesn’t necessarily correspond to knowing what to do with your maritime document. Being the best helmsman or vessel owner does not mean that you will automatically understand vessel documentation. That’s alright, though, and…
Spring is here once again, and summer is just around the corner. You have probably already spent time getting your boat ready for the warmer weather, doing annual maintenance and cleaning after storing your vessel over the winter. While you are taking care of preparing your recreational watercraft for fun and adventures, it is a…
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…
Are you going out with family and friends on your boat for Memorial Day weekend? Now that summer is just about here, are you ready to enjoy the sun on the water? Sure, there’s always a good reason to take your boat out, even in the middle of the frigid winter. But, summer’s different. This…
The owner of a USCG vessel may be unfamiliar with the term “vessel abstract of title” and uncertain whether or not you need one. The transfer of a vessel’s ownership is recorded in an abstract title. If you plan on selling your boat, prospective purchasers will want to see an abstract of the title as…
If you have been immersed in the boating industry for a while, you must be aware by now that the United States Coast Guard is the guvernamental administration in charge of the regulation of maritime activity, particularly at a federal level. They do so with the help of the National Vessel Documentation Center, which issues…
Does it feel like it’s time to renew your vessel registration, but you aren’t sure? Have you felt like boat registration renewal is a chore that should be easier than it is? You know you have to do it every year, but, to get the most for your money, you have to renew within a…
The excitement you feel when you purchase your first yacht, or large pleasure vessel can seem immeasurable to you. You cannot wait for that first trip you take with family or friends or even just for the day when you can take the boat out for a few hours to enjoy the waters. However, before…
You are contemplating buying a boat, and want to know more details about its history. Running a background check on any vessel is very important, as it can throw up details about the boat’s past life that would otherwise have remained hidden. In order to conduct this check in the most effective manner, you should…
USCG boat owners want a search method that is user-friendly, reasonable, and dependable while looking for a vessel documentation search. Because of this, we built a search engine specifically for vessel documentation. You can rapidly obtain the information you want using the Maritime Documentation Center’s search engine, which will enable you to go back out…
Documentation required by the U.S. Coast Guard is something that you should be familiar with if you own a boat in the United States. Having United States Coast Guard documentation is a fantastic approach to assist in the protection of both your vessel and yourself. Here are three reasons you may want to consider receiving…
No matter when and where you’re boating, safety is always what’s most important. Boating during the summer of 2020, however, presents new challenges. The pandemic has upended so much and boating is no exception. While the primary focus of our site is making sure that you have all of the documentation you need to be…
Do you plan on ringing in the new year by going out with your family and friends on a vessel? Have you been looking forward to getting on the water in a literal “winter wonderland?” As long as you plan safely, there’s nothing like going out on the water in the winter. Seeing the homes…