When it comes to owning a boat, you must understand the vital documentation that complies with legal requirements. Certificate of Documentation (COD), which you can obtain from the Coast Guard portal, and boat title are two primary documents that often come up. They both serve as proof of ownership. However, they have distinct purposes and…
Is a boat a good investment? A documented vessel is more expensive. But is it worth it? Owning a boat does have a lot of benefits. And yes, it is a good investment. You can use it to go wherever you want. Now, if you are indeed considering buying a vessel, you may want to…
Shopping for a boat can be an exciting but daunting endeavor. From finding the perfect style of vessel and ensuring that it suits your needs, to making sure you pay a fair and reasonable price – there are so many factors to consider when buying a boat. Are you concerned about being on the lookout…
When you’re at the helm, you’re always on the lookout for threats. Rough seas, darkening skies, quickening wind, other boats, people in the water, and more – when you’re in control, it’s your responsibility to make sure that the vessel’s journey is safe. By staying “one step ahead of things,” by paying close attention, then…
As August turns to September and summer becomes fall, have you been trying to get out on your vessel for one last summer party with family and friends? Do you want to have a good time on the water before the leaves fall and the air grows cold? Now is the time of year when…
If you’re like most boat owners, you undoubtedly use your tablet or smartphone to take pictures and videos of your vessel. There are many options for how to document a boat in this digital era. Utilizing your tablet or smartphone allows you to take photos, make videos, and keep track of your maintenance data. One…
The USCG documentation number is the official number (ON) of a documented vessel. It stays with the boat for its lifetime. In some states, they allow state registration and federal documentation. Other states, however, do not let vessels to be identified as both a state registered and federally documented. However, if you live in a state…
Does it seem like you need US Coast Guard vessel documentation but you aren’t sure if it’s right for you? Are you concerned about doing something that you don’t have to do? Not every vessel owner must get their vessel documented. Yes, there are circumstances within which a vessel owner must document their vessel. That…
Finding the capital to fund your purchase of a yacht or vessel will often mean taking out a loan from your bank or credit agencies. Finding this type of financing often means making use of a preferred ship mortgage. This type of mortgage is unique to maritime lenders, and the lien which is placed on…
Browsing for a new boat to add to your life can be a really enjoyable and exciting time, but there is more to consider than simply the look and aesthetics of a particular vessel that might have captured your attention. The paperwork and documentation side of any vessel ownership is just as important and vital…
Do you run a business off of a boat that you own? If so, you’ll need to get a USCG Merchant Mariner Credential. Every person who runs a commercial vessel in US waters must have this certification. This article will guide you through obtaining your US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential. We’ll also tell you…
Does it feel like it’s time to renew your vessel’s registration but you aren’t sure? Have you felt a nagging in the back of your mind that it’s due yet you really don’t know? We designed the Maritime Documentation Center, in part, to alleviate those kinds of concerns. Really, we don’t believe that boat registration…
As the vessel owner, one of the essential responsibilities is ensuring that all of your USCG documentation is in order. When it comes to the United States Coast Guard (USCG), there are several different things you need to think about. You will require your formal Certificate of Documentation (CD), and that means you will also…
Are you unsure which USCG forms are right for your vessel? Does it feel like every year or so there’s another form of documentation you have to get for your boat and you aren’t sure what it is? That’s not just you. The truth is that vessel documentation can seem confusing and opaque even to…
The USCG has certain size standards that must be met before a vessel may acquire USCG documentation. Vessels must be at least 25 feet in length and 7 feet broad to be registered by the US Coast Guard. There are, however, certain exceptions to this. For example, single-engine powerboats with a length of little more…