Are you tired of filling out Coast Guard vessel documentation on your own? Does it seem like this is something that you have to do without anyone being able to help you? We hear you loud and clear. The truth is that, for many, completing boat documentation is a lonely process. You have to figure…
Many many years ago our very own governors came up with an idea to protect American maritime activities. The problem was that, at the same time, the consequences of their actions were detrimental of foreign-built vessels intending to trade. That is the reason behind the creation of the Small Vessel Marad Waiver that we will…
If you’re a commercial boat owner, you are required by federal law to maintain proper documentation on your vessel. If your USCG certificate documentation has expired, it’s time to renew. However, if you are already 30+ days past your maritime documents renewal date, you will need to complete a reinstatement in order to comply with…
If your vessel is used for commercial purposes and it exceeds the net weight of 5 tons, it needs to be registered with the United States Coast Guard (USCG). If you use your boat recreationally and it also has 5 net tons or more you can choose to get USCG documented as well. Why would…
Buying a boat like a yacht or other large recreational vessel is a huge step for you. It represents a serious financial commitment on your part for the sale and the upkeep, maintenance, and care for the boat as long as you are the owner. Naturally, you want to take your time to make sure…
If you’ve ever picked the name of a child or a pet, then you know how important it is to pick the right name. The stakes might be a bit lower for naming a boat, but you still want to get it right. You want to have a name that you’re fond of, that you…
You still have a hard time believing it is true. One day, your dreams of owning a boat are just that – dreams. The next day, you have a bill of sale in your hand, indicating you are the new owner of a vessel that you know you will love sailing as often as possible.…
One of the questions we get asked more often at the Maritime Documentation Center is what is US Coast Guard Documentation? For that reason, we have decided to create this article, to further explain what that means. Basically, a boat that was registered with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) is referred to as a…
It is once again that time of year when boat owners get their boats ready for the enjoyment that can be had on the water during the summer months. When getting your boat ready to go out on the water, don’t forget to register it with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the state…
You may be new to boating and vessel ownership so understand the terminologies involved comes with a learning curve. Vessel ownership also involves a bit of paperwork filing and ensure that you are going about things in the proper legal manner. One of the first things to note is that if you own a vessel…
Are you the owner of a vessel? If so, have you been keeping up with the ever-changing documentation laws and regulations? Recently, there have been some significant updates concerning the boat documentation cost. At the Maritime Documentation Center, we want to make sure that you know these changes and what they could mean for you.…
It is essential to keep valuable materials such as vessel documentation, a seaman’s book, and an engineer’s license up to date. It is critical for individuals who work on board, particularly those responsible for the vessel’s technical components, to have accurate paperwork on hand. For vessel owners, it is critical to make sure that their…
Of all of the different forms on our vessel documentation services site, the MARAD Waiver, or the MARAD Small Vessel Waiver Program, specifically, is one that we get the most questions about. To be clear, this is not a kind of vessel documentation that will apply to all that many boat owners. That being said,…
Have you been researching a vessel that you’re interested in, yet you don’t feel like you can trust any of the information sources you’ve come across? Does it seem like there’s no way to find out exactly what the real history of a vessel is? When considering buying a vessel, you need to know absolutely…
Do you have an interest in purchasing a recreational boat like a yacht for personal pleasure, or do you need a commercial vessel for your business? Buying a boat brand new off the showroom floor or right from the manufacturer is something that few people can afford to do when they get their first boat.…