Do you have an interest in purchasing a recreational boat like a yacht for personal pleasure, or do you need a commercial vessel for your business? Buying a boat brand new off the showroom floor or right from the manufacturer is something that few people can afford to do when they get their first boat.…
All of the terms and circumstances of a boat’s sale are laid out in a bill of sale, a legal document. This document protects both parties involved in the transaction. You must be aware of your legal rights as a buyer and the responsibilities that are placed on you once you have made payment for…
There are several advantages to owning a Coast Guard-documented vessel, including lower liability and traveling more easily internationally. The question is, what does Coast Guard documented vessel mean?” As part of this essay, we’ll go through the fundamentals of USCG paperwork and explain how it may be beneficial to you and your vessel. If you’re…
Summer is here, and there may not be a better time for you to get your boat out on the water. Whether it is to take a day trip out for fishing or swimming, or to spend a few days sailing the seas and enjoying the weather as well as the sights, you need to…
If you don’t know what you’re doing, getting a MARAD waiver might be complicated. MARAD waivers enable some not qualified people under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 (known as the Jones Act) to receive a mariner’s license via a Maritime Administration (MARAD) waiver. One-stop shop for all things maritime: Merchant Mariner’s Authorization Database. Employers…
The vessel abstract of title is sometimes dismissed as insignificant, yet it is a highly essential document. The abstract of title for a vessel establishes the vessel’s ownership and may be used as evidence in the event of a dispute. If you’re contemplating purchasing or selling a boat, be sure to get a copy of…
If you are looking into starting your own business that involves a boat, you will find that there are many regulations and rules you need to follow today. Starting a business is always quite an undertaking, but a business where a vessel is involved, either as a fishing vessel, for salvage, transportation or other venture,…
Do you ever wonder what is the right status of your vessel documentation so you can verify and make a USCG license status check? Are you concerned that your vessel documentation might expire and you have a chance of renewing it? Don’t worry though because the National Documentation Portal is here to help you. We…
If you own a yacht in the United States, you know how important it is to have current paperwork. However, you may not be aware that it is now possible to transmit USCG documentation electronically. The effort required is little, and the benefits are substantial. If you want to know the first steps, then read…
Summer may be winding down, but there’s still time to get out on the water. Once August ends and Fall begins, it’s not like bodies of water are going away. There’s plenty of time to enjoy what the water has to offer in 2020, whether you’re doing so for recreation or business purposes. That said,…
We live in an age today where information is vital in nearly every decision we make. Whether we are looking to select a doctor, a restaurant, a wireless phone plan, or buy a new couch, we do research and look at reviews and background to see what the best choice would be. Now think about…
For some, buying and maintaining a boat is the epitome of the American Dream. While purchasing the boat is certainly an achievement, it is important to realize that it is all a major investment that requires quite a bit of thought and commitment. Before you drop anchor off the coast of Key West, there are some…
When you go online to find a way to complete your vessel documentation, does it feel like instead of making it easier to fill out these forms, everything you see makes it more difficult? Does it feel like it shouldn’t be that hard to complete some online forms? Those are some of the ideas we…
When you input data into our system for U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Documentation, you might worry that it could fall into the wrong hands. After all, hackers can get information from a variety of places and then they can use it to your detriment, including for your credit score and your finances. You can be…
You’re out on the water, enjoying your vessel. Whether you’re engaging in coastwise trade, fishery, foreign trade, or just having some recreational time with friends and family, you’re doing what you want to on the water. Suddenly, the Coast Guard vessels show up. They stop your craft to look it over. Nothing wrong with that,…