What happens if I don’t renew my vessel documentation?

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) takes the expiration of documentation seriously and imposes a number of penalties for those who have let their documentation lapse.

Depending upon the specific circumstances, those who have allowed their USCG documentation to expire may face one or more enforcement actions including fines, vessel detentions, and potentially worse.

To avoid this scenario, vessel owners can renew vessel documentation through this form at our site. Vessel owners have the option to renew for up to five years in advance.

Should your vessel documentation have expired, vessel owners cannot renew their documentation. Rather, they can reinstate it. Do so through this form.

67.142 describes some of the penalties involved.