Any owner of a vessel registered with the USCG should invest in a vessel documentation search. The USCG provides the boats that serve as the industry’s fulcrum. Unfortunately, this indicates a lot of rivalry between these boats and their cargo. You may be confident that your vessel has not been engaged in any criminal activity if you spend the money to have a search done on the documents associated with it. Your vessel’s documentation will indicate whether it has any liens or other legal concerns in its history or if it has a clean record. You can be sure that you are taking the required measures to safeguard your legal rights and interests if you spend money on a documentation search. This will give you peace of mind. Here are a few of the many justifications for why you should spend money on an examination of the vessel’s paperwork:
To Ensure That No Liens Or Mortgages Are Attached To Your Vessel
One of the best decisions a yacht owner can make is to pay for a vessel documentation search. This inquiry might reveal if your boat’s registration has been renewed and the status of any liens or mortgages. You will have a clean title to the yacht if there are no liens or mortgages against it. On the other hand, you may need to clear any liens or other encumbrances on the boat before selling it.
Alternatively, if the ship has accrued judgments, you and your attorney may seek to resolve these matters before they escalate. If there are any questions or ambiguities in the title, you should fix them before selling or transferring ownership of the boat. Also, check that the registration information for your ship is current and in excellent order. Those boats that aren’t adequately registered can’t sail the open seas.
To Confirm The Ownership Of Your Vessel
You can save time and money if you purchase a vessel documentation search. You won’t have any doubts about whether or not the boat you’re buying is yours, and you’ll be able to provide evidence of your own if the vessel is involved in a collision or a criminal act. Documentation for the boat is not just the seal of approval that says we’re okay to go; contrary to popular belief, it can also be one of the most valuable tools in our toolset.
This is because it is more than simply a document of ownership; instead, it provides a comprehensive history of those who had your yacht before you did. It can inform you what type of condition the vessel was in when you purchased it, how much usage or abuse it had before that, and whether or not anything concerning the boat’s ownership has changed.
Vessel Documentation Search Can Help Avoid Fines And Penalties From The Government
Before you even begin constructing or purchasing a recreational boat, you must familiarize yourself with and fully comprehend the legal requirements imposed by your state. For instance, if you search online for the boating regulations of your state, you will learn what kinds of safety devices are obligatory for those aboard a boat. In the event of an accident that results in someone being hurt, a fine may be imposed on the vessel for not carrying enough life jackets for everyone on board. In addition to carrying the required number of life jackets, all passengers must know how to put one on in an emergency. During a voyage on the water, all passengers must be informed about matters of this kind.
To Expedite The Sale Or Transfer Of Your Vessel In The Future
For a smoother sale or transfer of your boat in the future, having the findings of your vessel documentation search on hand will make dealing with an insurance company or other entity requiring evidence of ownership much more straightforward. If you’re looking to sell your boat, you’ll have an easier time doing so if you can provide proof of ownership, according to state.gov. If you don’t have the search results, you may have to wait until the state where your ship is registered updates its records.
There is no need to go through government red tape when a vessel is sold through direct sale. Unfortunately, this also implies that the deal will not appear in public records; the only evidence will be the written contract between you and the new owner. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to prove to a third party that you are the legitimate owner of another vessel if you have that document alone as evidence of ownership.
The maritime documentation process can seem complicated, but it’s pretty straightforward once you know where to start. If you are thinking about buying a vessel and want to play it safe, make sure the boat is documented with a U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation. To begin the process, contact the Maritime Documentation Center at 800-535-8570.