When you are purchasing a ship from a private seller, you might want to know its details as complete as they can be. Our website provides direct access to the United States Coast Guard list of documented vessels for you to find the one you are looking for. Looking up a boat’s history can reveal important issues concerning the vessel itself and can save you legal issues and several problems in the nearby future.
So you have finally found a ship that suits your needs, tastes, and requirements. You are eager to engage in a transaction to acquire it and sail away. But wait, hold it right there. How about a little background check first?
Valuable Information You Can Obtain
When accessing the list of documented vessels, you can find important data for a potential ship you might be interested in acquiring. This data includes ownership information, preferred mortgage filings, and lien claim notices. You can also discover supplemental data such as the age of the boat, the registered hailing port, and more. Get to check when the boat was last documented so that you’ll know whether or not its registration information has expired
Most sellers are honest and just want fair trade to bid farewell to their ships. However, some of them can have unscrupulous intentions and might want to pass their problems onto you with you being unaware of them. If a potential ship looks too good to be true and the seller arises suspicion, don’t think twice.
Issues Regarding the USCG List of Documented Vessels
Beware though, some information such as claims, filling digressions, or liens may be secret and not registered in the list of documented vessels the United States Coast Guard provides. There are no title insurance companies nor are there mandatory requirements for recording maritime liens. Ask for a representation from the seller that the vessel is free and clear of all liens and encumbrances. Demand written assurance that the seller will indemnify the buyer against all claims that may be brought against the purchaser for liens that were attached prior to the sale.
It’s recommended for you to take the provided data carefully and to investigate it more thoroughly. Some vessels’ files might have been inactive for a long time. The available information might not be accurate. Note that the USCG database is updated every quarter so we do not guarantee accuracy in your search results.
Perform A Vessel Documentation Search Today
If you are interested in a potential vessel but are doubtful about its owner and condition, we can provide you with the information you need. Visit our Maritime Documentation Center and enter the vessel’s official USCG number or the vessel’s name to run your check. Our webpage is connected to the USCG’s list of documented vessels. We’ll provide you with a boat history report that tells you all you need to know to make an informed decision.