Once you have bought your boat, you need to think about how to register it with the US Coast Guard. Documenting the vessel with the agency can guarantee extra protections for your boat, including when you are in foreign ports or travelling in international waters. In order to register your boat, you may have gone…
The US Coast Guard takes its duty to protect Americans very seriously. Here at the Maritime Documentation Center, we talk often about the international protection provided by United States Coast Guard documentation. However, we also are inspired to share the Coast Guard’s tips for safe boating. One service administered by the Coast Guard is the…
If you are the happy owner of a United States Coast Guard vessel, you are probably aware that it must be recorded with the Maritime Documentation Center (MDC). But how do you document a boat? The Marine Data Center (MDC) is an online system that stores information on ships and their owners. Using this system,…
Buying a boat offers tons of benefits. It lets you sail anywhere you wish to go. You can also use your boat for commercial reasons. Now, if you wish to request a loan from a bank or any financial institution, you must know that it prefers documented boats. They do use Coast Guard vessel registration…
Renewing your USCG vessel documentation is a critical task for maritime enthusiasts, and with the Vessel Registrar Center, the process becomes a breeze. Let’s delve into the steps and insights on “how do I renew my USCG vessel documentation”. Why Renewing Matters Before embarking on the renewal journey, it’s essential to understand why keeping your…
As you go about researching a vessel, does it feel like you can’t trust the information you’ve found about it? Have you been talking to someone about buying their vessel, yet everything they tell you seems “too good to be true?” When it comes to purchasing a vessel, you can’t be too careful. You want…
Do you know what you want to do with your new vessel, but aren’t certain how to make it in compliance with the Coast Guard? Are you completing your initial documentation and have gotten to part J. “Endorsements for Which Application is Made” and aren’t sure which to choose? These are common concerns that vessel…
So you want to sell your boat? Perhaps you don’t use it anymore, need the money, or are preparing to buy a different vessel. No matter the reason you’re selling, you will need a vessel bill of sale to legally sell your watercraft to a new owner. This is a legal contract that includes important…
Owning a ship and sailing away is a dream of a lot of people. Some are lucky to have their dreams come true. Unfortunately, many boat owners do not know that there are requirements that they have to meet before they can legally sail. If your boat is more than 5 net tons, it has…
Is it true that the Coast Guard provides a free vessel lookup service? Owners and watercraft fans may use this site to learn more about nearby USCG-licensed vessels. If you’re interested in learning more about the past of a particular boat or want to check if everything is up to date, this USCG vessel lookup…
Many commercial vessels are required to have US Coast Guard boat documentation. Typically, these are vessels measuring over 5 tons that deal in commerce or trade on the US coasts, the Great Lakes, US Fisheries, or other American or Exclusive Economic Zone navigable waters. However, plenty of other commercial, recreational, and pleasure vessels qualify but…
If you want to operate a large vessel, you might be interested in USCG documentation. The United States Coast Guard is the governmental body that regulates maritime commerce and safety, and it’s responsible for inspecting and certifying vessels. The USCG has strict regulations about what makes a boat eligible for certification, including size, weight, horsepower,…
The winter months in the United States can be difficult for boaters. You may want to go out on your vessel as you did in the summer only for it to be too cold to do. Or, maybe you do go out on your vessel but you have to put on so many layers of…
It might not be the most common aspect of boat ownership, but at some point in your time out on the water, it just might be the case that your vessel needs to be boarded by the relevant authorities. When everything is legal and above board, you never have to worry about an experience like…
Are you a boat owner with the US Coast Guard? If this is the case, you will want to educate yourself on the many advantages of the USCG registry. If you register your boat with the United States Coast Guard (USCG), you will be eligible for several excellent benefits that will make it much simpler…