When you are a boat owner and are looking to sell your vessel, there are many things you need to do to get your boat ready. Naturally, you will take the time to do any needed repairs or upgrades, so your boat looks its best and brings you the best price. Once you have an…
There are responsibilities associated with owning a boat. One of them is to ensure that your boat’s documentation is up to date. Vessel documentation, administered by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), is essential for maritime activities, international travel, and maintaining legal compliance. As the year 2024 approaches, it is vital to be prepared for…
Have you been looking to get financing for your vessel? Does the owner of a documented vessel owe you money for services you provided and they have yet to pay you? Did you get to the point where you’re able to pay off your ship’s mortgage and want to seal the deal? If you answered…
Most of us are reluctant to buy anything today without doing some kind of work to get background information. Everything from the smartphone and computer you own to the television and appliances you buy to the restaurants you visit all involve doing some research to make sure you are making a decision that is right…
Do you own a boat in the United States? If so, what kind? If that’s the case, you may be interested to hear that the law mandates you register your yacht with your state’s government. If you fail to comply with boat registration, you may be subject to monetary fines and additional penalties. We’ll fill…
“Preferred Ship’s Mortgage,” “Hailing Port,” “MARAD” – vessel documentation is full of odd phrases you probably don’t hear in other walks of life. That’s just one part of the documentation that makes it a bit opaque and confusing to people, even those who have been dealing with it for years. Of course, it doesn’t help…
There are a few items you’ll need to finalize the sale of your boat when you’re trying to sell it. In order to document the transfer of ownership, a bill of sale boat is essential. Is a bill of sale boat required to complete the transaction? This isn’t always the case, of course. Bills of…
If you are planning on selling your boat, you will need to do your research about the US Coast Guard documented vessel bill of sale and how it might apply to you. These documents can be the best way to settle your connection to a vessel and ensure that you are not blamed for any…
If you’ve ever shopped for something online, then you know how hard it can be to find the exact thing that you want. Sure, when you go online, you’ll be able to find so many different options and be exposed to things that you didn’t even know existed. However, it can be difficult to find…
What is USCG? It is the United States Coast Guard (USCG). This is a critical component of America’s maritime security, responsible for safeguarding the nation’s waterways and protecting lives, property, and the environment. While the USCG plays a pivotal role in maritime safety, its role extends beyond that to encompass vessel documentation, an essential process…
Are you considering documenting your vessel but aren’t sure if it’s right for you? Some vessels can be documented while others have to be. Should you choose to document your vessel, you’re going to want to pick an endorsement that best matches how you’ll use your vessel. The coastwise endorsement, as well as its other…
Do you have a vessel and aren’t sure entirely which forms of vessel documentation are right for it? Have you been wondering just what a National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) is and how it can help you? When it comes to boat documentation in the United States, it can be a bit confounding. Even if…
Did you recently come into possession of a foreign-built vessel that you want to use on American waters? Do you have an undocumented vessel that you would like to make some money with, but you don’t want to run afoul of the powers that be to do so? Plenty of vessel owners have been in…
Think of things that you have to do annually: pay for your car registration, renew certain forms and licenses, taxes, and so forth. With many of those, you’re given multiple reminders. As much of that is national in scope (such as taxes), they could come up as topics of conversation with friends and family, which…
It always seems like that no matter what we must do in life, there is paperwork to go along with it. Everywhere you go, and everything you buy seems to come with some document that you must sign or something you must apply for. Making a large purchase like buying a yacht or other pleasure…