F.A.Q.

An Abstract of Title is important when considering purchasing a vessel. When you purchase a vessel, you want to know, definitively, that the vessel is free from any liens or claims of ownership If you perform a vessel documentation search through our site, you’ll find pertinent vessel information such as the vessel’s name, its official number, flag, and hull identification number in addition to its tonnage information, service information, and dimensions.

Yes, it does. If you are transferring ownership of a vessel with documented vessel registration, then either the back of the CG-1270 Certificate of Documentation or the CG-1340 Bill of Sale has to be notarized. This has to be done. It is required.
Documented Vessel Forms That Must Be Notarized
At the Vessel Registrar Center, vessel owners can use this form for their initial vessel documentation.

When it comes to vessel documentation, you should choose the endorsement that fits how you plan to use the vessel. If you are just going to use the vessel for fun, to have a good time, then your endorsement should be for “Recreation.” You should also choose that endorsement if you are just registering your vessel so that you can apply for a Preferred Ship’s Mortgage.

On the other hand, if you are going to use your vessel for commercial purposes, then you may be required to register it and choose the correct endorsement accordingly.

For example, if you are going to use your vessel for transporting people and/or merchandise on the navigable waters of the United States or in the Exclusive Economic Zone, then you’re going to want to choose the “Coastwise” endorsement.

When it comes to vessel documentation, you should choose the endorsement that fits how you plan to use the vessel. If you are just going to use the vessel for fun, to have a good time, then your endorsement should be for “Recreation.” You should also choose that endorsement if you are just registering your vessel so that you can apply for a Preferred Ship’s Mortgage. A hailing port is a term used in the context of United States vessel documentation. It is a required field for all USCG documentation and serves as the designated port of origin for vessels that have been documented with the Coast Guard. The hailing port must be a U.S. Port, and it will appear on the vessel's Certificate of Documentation.

There are specific requirements when it comes to marking your documented vessel. These must be followed to be in compliance.

Abbreviated “HIN,” is, more or less, the equivalent of a car’s VIN (“Vehicle Identification Number.”) The HIN is a 12 or 14-character number that identifies a specific vessel. You may have seen older vessels that don’t have a HIN. That’s because vessels that were manufactured or imported before 1973 are exempt from having a HIN.

Every boat that was manufactured or even imported on or after November 1st, 1972, has to have a HIN. Consequently, any vessel imported or manufactured before that date are exempt from this requirement.

This is the USCG documentation endorsement for engaging in international/foreign trade. Additionally, it allows the vessel to engage in any international/foreign employment a Coastwise or Fishery endorsement is not required for.

Do you want to check the expiration date of your vessel documentation? All you have to do is to look at your current Certification of Documentation. If you look on the lower-left corner of the front page, you’ll find the boat documentation’s expiration date.

If you are wondering how to rename a boat, you can do so through the vessel documentation form “Change of Vessel Name or Hailing Port.”

Depending on several factors, it could be anywhere from one month to four months. To expedite the process to the extent possible, we recommend filing for Rush Processing/Priority Request. With that, your documentation will be put at the very top of our queue. For USCG documentation, click on this form.

The simplest way to discover exactly when your Coast Guard documentation expires is to check your Certificate of Documentation. On the lower-left corner of the front page, you’ll find the expiration date.