If you are the owner of a Coast Guard boat, you must be aware of the modifications that have been made to the document renewal cycle. The new procedure will require owners to do their Coast Guard document renewal every two years instead of every five years as was previously required. This modification made the renewal procedure less time-consuming and more user-friendly for property owners. As the owner of a Coast Guard boat, you are required to be informed of the changes that will take place in the process of document renewal in 2022. The following is a list of changes that you may anticipate:
You Will No Longer Be Able to Renew Your Documents by Mail
It is no longer possible for you to do your Coast Guard document renewal through the mail because of a change made by the Coast Guard. Because there were so many issues with fraud and forgery, they concluded that it was essential to stop allowing people to renew their licenses using this way. You may either go in person or fill out a form on our website to acquire your papers right now. Both options are available to you.
From this point forward, you can renew your registration with the USCG using the documentation you presented. You may also apply to a new document, such as a boat document, even if you’ve never had one before or if you’ve misplaced the one you had. Visit the Coast Guard office in your area to renew any documents you may have. Check the US Coast Guard’s website for a list of offices in your area that are authorized to issue their documents; then consult that list to determine where you should go.
You, Will, Have to Submit Your Coast Guard Document Renewal Online
If you work on the water, you’ve undoubtedly heard by now that the United States Coast Guard is moving the Coast Guard, the document renewal process for commercial mariners to an online platform. This indicates that your original document will be returned to you in the future, along with updated expiry dates and endorsements (for example, if your license allows you to drive a tanker, it will have that endorsement on it).
After that, you will be asked to pay for your license renewal, upload an electronic picture, and fill out the application online. The Coast Guard claims that this will speed up the mariners’ renewal process, but there are still worries about how effectively the service can manage large traffic numbers. The Coast Guard maintains that this will speed up the procedure.
You, Will, Need to Provide Proof of Ownership for Your Vessel
To ensure all ships have valid paperwork, the Coast Guard sometimes conducts unannounced checks at ports. There will undoubtedly be more of these inspections now that the Coast Guard is seeking evidence of ownership for all new boats and renewals due after this date. A bill of sale may be used as evidence of right if you have just acquired a vessel but have not yet applied for paperwork from the USCG. For this, a state title, registration certificate, or the Federal Boat Registration number must be presented. Second, you must do your Coast Guard document renewal no later than 60 days after the initial usage of your vessel.
Last but not least, you will need to provide inspection documentation from a certified maritime surveyor that occurred within the previous two years. The new owner of a boat must provide proof of ownership if the boat has been sold or otherwise transferred. However, the original owner will be asked to provide proof of ownership if the ship was just sold or leased.
There May Be New Restrictions on who is Allowed to Own a Coast Guard Boat
The Coast Guard documentation you get for your boat is only suitable for five years from when it was issued, expiring on the first day of the fifth year. Your vessel’s paperwork must be renewed 15 days before the expiration date of the current document to comply with the new requirements. The Coast Guard will have a much easier time keeping track of who needs to renew their credentials now that they have a more accurate idea of when those papers expire.
If you’re wondering why boat paperwork is essential, every vessel must have an owner who can prove they’re qualified to handle the vessel in question, according to mass.gov. Boat documentation is necessary for several reasons, all of which should be obvious. Included in the paperwork must be proof of the applicant’s identity and citizenship and details on the applicant’s history with the Coast Guard and the vessel.
The Coast Guard has changed its Document of Continuation policy for non-residents. Previously, the requirement was to renew every other year, but now it’s every year. This change is effective immediately. Notices are going out through various channels, but if you’ve been putting off your renewal and want to avoid any fines or the hassle of showing up at a USCG office, take five minutes today to call the Maritime Documentation Center at 800-535-8570.