If you’re in the market to buy a boat or currently own one, there’s a critical step you can’t afford to overlook — obtaining an abstract of title. For buyers, it ensures the vessel you’re purchasing doesn’t come with hidden ownership issues. For current owners, it helps you maintain clear and undisputed ownership in the…
All US documented vessels should have a name. This name goes along with identifying numbers and is important for the sale or purchase of a vessel, as well as in cases of theft, accident, or emergencies. There are a number of rules that go along with naming your boat and it’s important to adhere to…
There are several advantages of documenting your boat with the US Coast Guard. The US Coast Guard boat documentation clears customs more quickly than state-registered boats. The reason for this is that your documented boat is recognized internationally to enter and leave foreign ports. US Coast Guard Boat Documentation in Safeguarding Your Vessels This documentation…
Don’t you know where to start with your United States Coast Guard (USCG) Certificate of Documentation? Have you noticed how hard it is to find a site that easily explains what you should do to get or even how to process it online? That is the reason behind the creation of the Maritime Documentation Center:…
When you are a keen yachtsman who just wants to get out on the water in your new vessel whenever you get the chance, the thought of keeping up with the various forms of boat paperwork and documentation can seem like a very boring and mundane part of the process, but believe us when we…
Owning a boat is a dream for many people, but it can quickly turn into a nightmare if you’re not prepared for the costs associated with it. The costs of owning a boat in the U.S. can add up quickly, between repairs, maintenance, registration fees, and insurance. In this article, we’ll talk about the different…
Can you sail in the winter? The United States Coast Guard has provided some winter-safe boating guidelines. Always dress for the weather, insulate your ship, and measure the ice thickness before setting off. If you remember these safety tips, you may have a great time boating in the winter without worrying about getting in trouble.…
Do you want the freedom to use your vessel how you want? Have you gotten everything together that you need to get your commercial boating venture “off the ground” (so to speak) and don’t want to be hassled? That’s what a documented vessel number can do. Depending on your vessel and your circumstances, the Maritime…
One of the responsibilities of owning a boat is that you have to renew its registration or documentation. If your boat is USCG documented, you need to ensure that its certificate of documentation is up-to-date. To do that, you must renew it regularly. How often do you renew Coast Guard Documentation? Let’s explore the facts. …
If you are thinking about documenting your boat with the US Coast Guard, it is pertinent to know what steps are involved in coast guard boat documentation. Most importantly, you must first determine whether your boat can be registered. If it can, how long will it take for the process to complete? Coast Guard Boat…
As a vessel owner, you know how many demands there are on your time. A vessel is seemingly always in need of some improvement, some work, some form of maintenance. This is true in the middle of summer, the middle of winter, the middle of a ride on the water and basically any other time.…
Once you take ownership of the boat you have been looking at, you want to think about the best ways available to you to get it registered. If you have a large pleasure craft like a yacht, you do have options for registration open to you. For commercial boat owners, the law dictates that you…
When it comes to secured financing, a preferred ship mortgage is a special kind of secured loan against maritime assets, most often vessels and cargo. It is an exciting alternative for owners of ships and boats searching for financing since the interest rates are pretty cheap and several lenders provide these products. The marine sector…
Do you want to bring in a new co-owner with your vessel but aren’t sure of the best way to go about it? Does one member of your ownership group want out? These are the kinds of things that happen all of the time when you own a vessel with others. Maybe your ownership group…
Want to find out more about a vessel but don’t trust online sources? Have you narrowed your search down to a couple vessels that you really like, yet want to have as much information as possible? No one wants to spend the money on a vessel without being in possession of all of the facts.…