If you own a boat registered with the US Coast Guard, you know how essential it is to have all of your vessel documentation in order. However, locating your paperwork might be challenging, mainly if you are unsure where to search for it. In this article, we will walk you through the simple actions you need to do to locate the paperwork for your vessel in a hurry. Knowing the procedures to follow can make the process much simpler for you if you misplace your papers or want a duplicate for insurance reasons. The following are some simple methods that will assist you in locating the paperwork for your sailboat.
Check the Registration Certificate for Contact Information for The Maritime Documentation Center
Visit the Maritime Documentation Center if you have any questions or concerns about your vessel registration. This is the only location in the United States where most boats may be registered. However, because it is an agency of the United States Coast Guard, many individuals are unaware of it. They do not know how to locate it if they want vessel documentation for their vessel.
Because the Maritime Paperwork Center keeps track of boats and their documentation using various techniques, you will need to contact a separate location and phone number for each method. These addresses and numbers may be found on the center’s website. It also implies that there are a few various methods to discover your vessel paperwork, depending on what sort of documentation you’re searching for. These approaches vary according to the type of documentation you’re trying to find.
Visit the Maritime Documentation Center’s Website and Download the Application Form for a Vessel Documentation
If you are searching for vessel documentation, you may visit the website of the Maritime Documentation Center to search for it and download the application form. You may also examine the application for documentation by going to the United States Coast Guard website and clicking on the link that says ‘Maritime Documentation.’
In any case, you can fill out the application and either mail it, fax it, or submit it online along with a check or money order to pay the cost of the application. Complete and legible responses are required for all sections of the form (you will want to ensure there are no mistakes). Send your application and any additional evidence that may be requested to the address indicated on the application form.
Wait For Your Documentation to Arrive in The Mail
You will need to hold off until all necessary documents arrive in the mail. It is essential to remember that it may take some time for the Coast Guard to evaluate your application and deliver you the necessary papers since they will come from them. If they haven’t provided your documentation yet and you’re going to be late, call the Coast Guard to find out if there has been a problem and to let them know about your forthcoming voyage. The National Vessel Documentation Center will send the vessel documentation through standard mail. After getting your certificate of number and waiting for up to two weeks, if you still haven’t received them, you might think about giving them a call to check in with them.
Keep Your Documentation Safe and Secure
These records are crucial to your operations, and if they are lost or stolen, you might be in for some trouble. You may avoid losing your bill of sale by scanning it and saving it in a digital archive. If the original document is lost or destroyed, you will still have a duplicate that you may print off and share with anybody who needs a copy. Ensure also to make an effort to store a duplicate in a secure, readily accessible location inside your own house. Many kinds of safe deposit boxes available on the market would be ideal for storing such a document. It is highly suggested that you photograph your bill of sale and have a copy with you at all times.
If You Lose Your Document or Need a Replacement, Contact the MDC Immediately
It is difficult to fathom that something as essential as your vessel documentation could ever be lost, but unfortunately, this occurs more often than you may imagine. According to state.gov, documentation for a vessel is a kind of legal paperwork that the United States Coast Guard requires. It records all information about your boat, such as the registered name, identifying numbers, and the person who owns it.
If you misplace this document or discover that you want a new copy, please contact the Maritime Documentation Center as soon as possible. You won’t have as much trouble as you imagine finding your documents. The Maritime Documentation Center provides access to an online database containing information on every watercraft recorded in the United States.
If you’re a vessel owner looking to get your documentation, the first thing you’ll need to do is find a Maritime Documentation Center. The Maritime Documentation Center is a privately owned company that works with the Coast Guard to ensure that vessels have all the documents they need for travel. They can help you find any documentation you may be missing and provide any new vessel documentation as needed. Call them today at 800-535-8570 for more.