USCG Documentation Endorsements: Endorsing Your Vessel for the Job

Are you in the process of filling out your initial USCG documentation form and have gotten to the “endorsement” part? Are you unsure about which endorsement is right for your vessel? This may seem like a small thing, but it’s actually quite important. Picking the right endorsement makes it possible for you to use your vessel how you want to use it. Each endorsement is different, and by picking the right one, you can truly make your vessel yours. 

Fishery and Coastwise Endorsement 

To ask a question: are you going to use your vessel in commercial fishing activities on the navigable waters of the United States or in the Exclusive Economic Zone? If the answer is “yes,” then you’re going to want the “Fishery” endorsement. Or, if not, you can ask yourself the question: “am I going to use my vessel for transporting people and/or merchandise on those same waters?” If that’s the case, then you’re going to want the “Coastwise” endorsement. These are two of the more common endorsements for those planning to use their vessels in commercial enterprise. 

Registry and Recreational 

The “Registry” endorsement may sound redundant (after all, if you’re “registering” your vessel, why get an endorsement called “Registry?”) But, it’s the proper endorsement if you’re going to use your vessel for foreign trade, outside of American waters. The “Recreational” endorsement, on the other hand, is exactly what it sounds like. You don’t plan to use your vessel for commerce at all. In fact, you’re going to use it to have a good time on the water with friends and family. Remember: any vessel can be used for recreation, but vessels with the “Recreational” endorsement can only be used for recreation. 

Benefits of USCG Documentation Even if You Don’t Need It 

In some states, getting your vessel documented can help you to save some money on your taxes. One of the major benefits to having your vessel documented: you can get a Preferred Ship’s Mortgage. This can make it much, much easier to be able to finance the vessel of your dreams. In fact, many financial lenders won’t lend you money unless your vessel is documented. Something else to keep in mind about endorsements: you don’t have to keep them forever. At our site, you can find the forms to change your endorsement should you determine that you want to use your vessel for a new purpose. 

A Home for Vessel Documentation 

Picking the right endorsement for your vessel on your vessel documentation is important. That said, you can find all of the other vessel documentation forms that you could ever need right here at our site. For one, the aforementioned Preferred Ship’s Mortgage can be applied for here. You can also find the right form for when you pay that off, too. If you haven’t yet bought a vessel but are looking into one, you can perform a search here or even get an Abstract of Title. To see all that we offer, head to our site.