The MARAD waiver is a Maritime Administration mechanism meant for foreign-built vessels. After all, the Jones Act requires that the vessels operating in coastwise commerce be built domestically whenever possible. The MARAD small vessel waiver program recognizes that foreign-built vessels can also contribute to American commerce, which is why it grants waivers to certain vessels…
When searching for a watercraft to purchase, you must consider the prerequisites established by the U.S. Coast Guard. When operating a watercraft on public waterways, the Federal Government has several stringent guidelines that must be followed. Before purchasing a boat, you must be acquainted with these regulations. It is feasible to own a watercraft without…
Are you considering getting a Certificate of Documentation for your vessel but aren’t sure if it’s the right course of action? Do you have questions about your eligibility for a Certificate of Documentation? We designed the Maritime Documentation Center, in part, to help with those exact queries. Of all of the forms that we assist…
It’s possible that a lot of people who own boats aren’t familiar with the US Coast Guard boat registry or the advantages of being listed on it. The United States Coast Guard maintains a database of all boats in the country that are registered with them as part of the USCG’s boat registry. The United…
Owning a boat means understanding the importance of having the appropriate US Coast Guard Documentation. Many forms of mortgages for boats demand that you have a boat insurance policy in place. How might US Coast Guard documents help you get finance for your vessel? A crucial factor to consider when buying a new or old…
“I just got a vessel and I’d like to get it documented. Can you help?” We are often asked some variation of this exact same question. It’s not always a good idea to answer a question with a question, but in this case, it’s valid. We often respond, “are you sure you have to get…