Some of us have the privilege of having family and friends that own a yacht or boat. It means spending hours out on the water in the spring and summer (sometimes year round depending on where you reside). Spending time on a boat may have made you want to purchase one yourself and having friends…
If you own a U.S. vessel and plan to transport it across the border into Canada, you must follow a few simple steps to ensure the boat is correctly recorded. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) takes this precaution because they want to ensure that you are not attempting to evade tax payment on any…
Buying a yacht or recreational vehicle can be a big thrill for you and gives you the chance to achieve a lifelong dream of yours to own a boat like this. Many people find that purchasing a boat on the secondary market from a private seller or broker is the best way to get the…
Does it feel like every USCG portal that’s “easy to use” is actually anything but? Have you felt like these online documentation sites were designed for someone other than vessel owners? That’s how we felt. That’s one of the many reasons that we started the Maritime Documentation Center. We wanted there to be a vessel…
“I guess vessel documentation is a good idea, but what are the real benefits to it if I don’t have to document my vessel?” At this point, you probably know that if your vessel measures five net tons or more and you’re using it for fishing and coastwise activities on navigable American waters or those…
Have grown concerned that certain life changes have made it so that you won’t be able to stay on the Coast Guard boat registration database? Does it seem like the rules are arbitrary about what does and does not have to be given to the powers that be? Here at the Maritime Documentation Center, we…
When you are considering buying a new boat or yacht, you need to know as much as possible about the vessel before you hand over any money. In order to ensure that the vessel you are buying is legal in the US, and can be bought without any consequences, you need to perform a documented…
A maritime lien is much like a lien on any other property. It’s a legal proceeding that allows a boat to be seized if the debt for the vessel isn’t paid. That means that someone who buys a boat but stops making payments may have that boat taken by the authorities. If the boat wasn’t…
A boat’s name is often more than just a label. It is a reflection of its identity and a source of pride for its owner. However, there are various reasons you, as a boat owner, might want to change your vessel’s name, from superstitious to personal preferences. While the vessel documentation name change process might…
If you are a US vessel owner, you may wonder what the procedure is for dumping a boat, whether it is no longer seaworthy or the proprietor has chosen to move on. Whether you already have a customer in mind and are just trying to close the deal or just seeking to unload your craft…
Did you consider USCG documentation for your vessel, yet don’t know if you qualify? Do some of the benefits feel like they could really help you and/or your vessel, but the qualifications for documentation seem a bit opaque? Those are exactly the kinds of questions that we started our Maritime Documentation Center to answer. We…
Buying a vessel, boat or even a yacht is a massive undertaking; it is a thoughtful financial obligation that requires long-term maintenance for as long as you will own it. To make sure you are investing your money intelligently, ensure that you do your homework before you finalize any deal. To get all the compulsory…
The certification of documentation issued by the USCG documentation center is a powerful document. It opens up a world of possibilities and privileges for vessel owners. Whether you navigate the open seas for leisure, engage in commercial maritime activities, or simply cherish the history of your boat, this documentation holds significant value. USCG Documentation Center…
If you’re the owner of a new vessel, you may be interested to know how to change vessel name and hailing port. Although you will be strongly advised against doing so by the superstitious sailor community, who tell you changing a boat’s name is bad luck, you are set on your ways. What are the steps…
When it comes to Coast Guard documentation, what is it all about? The registration or licensing of a ship or boat is called C.G. paperwork. It serves as proof that the yacht or vessel has satisfied all of the safety criteria specified by the USCG, and it also offers some limited liability protection to the…