As the owner or operator of a USCG documented vessel, you know how important it is that we preserve our waterways’ pristine conditions. Even with the best intentions, however, it’s possible that you could be unknowingly polluting the water while you’re out at sea. In order to avoid any inadvertent contamination of the waterways that…
Have you forgotten something? You may have been busy enjoying the open water, fishing, water skiing and soaking up the sun. It can be easy to get lost in being on your boat and enjoying that freedom. You have spent time exploring the seas and haven’t thought much about your registration since you got your…
Is there anything better than knowing that your vessel is in the best possible hands? This is something that all types of boat enthusiasts can appreciate. At the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC), our mission is to provide boat owners with the highest-quality services possible, regardless of the type or size of their vessels. Whether…
Knowing how to conduct a proper Coast Guard Documentation Search can be a really helpful tool to help you out if you own a pleasure boat, a fishing ship, or a diving vessel. While this information is freely available on the US Coast Guard website, it might be difficult to find what you are looking for.…
If at any time while your certificate of documentation is still valid you move out from the location you had given to the USCG on the application, you need to submit a US Coast Guard Vessel Documentation Change of Address. This article will explain to you how to do that, how many years your certificate…
If you are about to get yourself in the middle of a sell-buy transaction, learning how to write an appropriate boat bill of sale is definitely something you must know how to do. Legally, this document is used to transfer ownership from one party to another. In a way, it is similar to getting a…
Have you been wondering if your vessel requires a Certificate of Documentation? Are you unsure what exactly is the correct documentation for your vessel? We are here to help. The Maritime Documentation Center has helped countless vessel owners to determine which forms of documentation are right for their vessel and their situation. Now, we can…
Did you know that the MDC provides quick lookups of USCG vessels that may be done online? Our objective is to provide information that assists boat owners in complying with maritime legislation more readily available to them. The Marine Department of Conservation (MDC) offers a convenient online USCG vessel lookup that will inform you of…
It is essential for a person who owns a boat in the United States to be current on the most recent modifications that have been made to the USCG vessel renewal process. Recently, the Coast Guard announced that there would be some significant changes in 2022, and unfortunately, those changes will not be beneficial for…
Owning a boat is something special, and it gives you the chance to enjoy travel, leisure, and vacations in a way that you may never have been able to do before. While some boat owners make their first purchase by getting a vessel from a broker or previous owner, there are others that go the…
Being out on a boat is special. Whether it’s your first time on the water, or you’ve been on yachts your entire life, there’s nothing quite like it. The rush of the wind in your hair, the sun warm on your face, the waves beside your boat – it’s a genuinely unique experience. You can…
Are you finally ready to take your vessel out on the water this spring, but want to make sure that everything is safe? Has the weather gotten warm enough to the point where it’s time to get your vessel out of storage? There is nothing, nothing like taking your boat out after it’s been locked…
If you are the owner of a vessel registered with the US Coast Guard, you know it will soon be time to renew the boat registration. But were you aware there are methods to keep your costs down and not overpay? You may save some money for yourself if you take advantage of early bird…
If you want to buy or sell a vessel, you will need to make the transfer of ownership clear to the US Coast Guard’s documentation center. This group keep all of the details of any US vessel, and any commercial or larger vessels need to be registered with the Coast Guard in order to be…
The Preferred Ship Mortgage provides a lender or financier of a vessel competitive status among competing claims that might arise against a vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard acts principally as a recording agency in regard to mortgages and related instruments. It’s important to learn about it if you happen to finance someone’s ship after he/she…