All of the terms and circumstances of a boat’s sale are laid out in a bill of sale, a legal document. This document protects both parties involved in the transaction. You must be aware of your legal rights as a buyer and the responsibilities that are placed on you once you have made payment for…
There are several advantages to owning a Coast Guard-documented vessel, including lower liability and traveling more easily internationally. The question is, what does Coast Guard documented vessel mean?” As part of this essay, we’ll go through the fundamentals of USCG paperwork and explain how it may be beneficial to you and your vessel. If you’re…
Summer is here, and there may not be a better time for you to get your boat out on the water. Whether it is to take a day trip out for fishing or swimming, or to spend a few days sailing the seas and enjoying the weather as well as the sights, you need to…
If you don’t know what you’re doing, getting a MARAD waiver might be complicated. MARAD waivers enable some not qualified people under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 (known as the Jones Act) to receive a mariner’s license via a Maritime Administration (MARAD) waiver. One-stop shop for all things maritime: Merchant Mariner’s Authorization Database. Employers…
The vessel abstract of title is sometimes dismissed as insignificant, yet it is a highly essential document. The abstract of title for a vessel establishes the vessel’s ownership and may be used as evidence in the event of a dispute. If you’re contemplating purchasing or selling a boat, be sure to get a copy of…
If you are looking into starting your own business that involves a boat, you will find that there are many regulations and rules you need to follow today. Starting a business is always quite an undertaking, but a business where a vessel is involved, either as a fishing vessel, for salvage, transportation or other venture,…
If you own a yacht in the United States, you know how important it is to have current paperwork. However, you may not be aware that it is now possible to transmit USCG documentation electronically. The effort required is little, and the benefits are substantial. If you want to know the first steps, then read…
Summer may be winding down, but there’s still time to get out on the water. Once August ends and Fall begins, it’s not like bodies of water are going away. There’s plenty of time to enjoy what the water has to offer in 2020, whether you’re doing so for recreation or business purposes. That said,…
For some, buying and maintaining a boat is the epitome of the American Dream. While purchasing the boat is certainly an achievement, it is important to realize that it is all a major investment that requires quite a bit of thought and commitment. Before you drop anchor off the coast of Key West, there are some…
When you go online to find a way to complete your vessel documentation, does it feel like instead of making it easier to fill out these forms, everything you see makes it more difficult? Does it feel like it shouldn’t be that hard to complete some online forms? Those are some of the ideas we…
You’re out on the water, enjoying your vessel. Whether you’re engaging in coastwise trade, fishery, foreign trade, or just having some recreational time with friends and family, you’re doing what you want to on the water. Suddenly, the Coast Guard vessels show up. They stop your craft to look it over. Nothing wrong with that,…
As a USCG vessel owner, you may wonder: What is a USCG documented vessel and their advantages? Below we will outline the most important benefits of being a USCG documented vessel owner. Commercial and recreational boats benefit from documenting their operations. Those who fulfill specific conditions, including evidence of ownership, financial responsibility, and seaworthiness, are…
Maintaining a vessel for the United States Coast Guard is a significant duty. But why document a vessel? Boat owners must record their vessels to demonstrate that they are operating their vessels according to the law and maintain track of crucial information such as the boat’s size and weight. If you possess a properly recorded…
A boat on the water is seldom entirely still. Sure, if you anchor, you won’t drift too far away. But, depending on the length of the line, your boat will still move with the waves and the wind. The same is true with your USCG vessel documentation. As time keeps moving, so too might your…
If you own a boat, you know how vital it is to have it registered with the US Coast Guard. In the first place, then, why do we need a boat registry? A boat register is an official list of boats, ships, and vessels for business or recreational reasons. According to cornell.edu, the benefits of…