There’s so much you want to do before you purchase a boat. After all, you’re buying a boat: this is not a small thing. This is a purchase that you’ll remember for the rest of your life, whether you’re buying a five net ton vessel for your new commercial fishing business, or if you’re purchasing…
Navigating USCG documentation transfer can be a crucial step in the ownership process. Whether you are buying or selling a boat, ensuring a smooth documentation transfer is essential to maintaining legal compliance and protecting your investment. Here are the dos and don’ts of documentation transfer to help you navigate this process with confidence and clarity. …
Are you considering taking the plunge and becoming a boat owner? Owning a boat is an incredible privilege. Boats bring people closer to nature, create amazing memories that can last a lifetime, and foster great relationships with friends and family members–all while giving us full access to the jewels of our beautiful oceans. Boat ownership…
If you are the owner of a Coast Guard boat, you must be aware of the modifications that have been made to the document renewal cycle. The new procedure will require owners to do their Coast Guard document renewal every two years instead of every five years as was previously required. This modification made the…
Registering your boat with the Coast Guard is not as difficult as imagined. The Coast Guard’s straightforward, step-by-step system makes registering and documenting your boat easy. If you plan to use your boat in U.S. waters, you must abide by several federal laws. In terms of importance, the USCG Navigation Act of 1920 and the…
Are you considering renaming your vessel, but you keep asking yourself: is it bad luck to rename a boat? Rest assured, we are here to clarify the process of changing a boat’s name and ease your worries! From understanding the superstition around why some think it is bad luck to rename a boat to applying…
There are various factors that influence the value of your boat. One often overlooked aspect of a boat’s history is its vessel documentation information. This documentation includes registration records, ownership history, and recorded liens or encumbrances. They can all significantly affect the value of a boat. Let us explore how this information impacts a boat’s…
Are you in the process of selling your boat and want to make sure that you have everything taken care of? Does it feel like you need a boat bill of sale to complete the transaction? That may be the case. Unless, of course, you own a documented vessel. If your vessel is documented, then…
You are the proud owner of a brand new vessel, and have been dreaming of this day for a long time. However, just as you start to live the life that you have always wanted, you discover that things are not as simple as they may seem. One area where you may struggle is in…
The time has come for your Coast Guard documentation renewal … probably. If you’re like many vessel owners, it’s natural to not be 100% sure when that’s taking place. You do know that you have to get it renewed once a year, but you may not be exactly sure just when that is. As vessel owners…
You are contemplating buying a boat, and want to know more details about its history. Running a background check on any vessel is very important, as it can throw up details about the boat’s past life that would otherwise have remained hidden. In order to conduct this check in the most effective manner, you should…
Are you a boat owner? Writing your own boat bill of sale might seem like an intimidating task, but it doesn’t have to be. Knowing what should and shouldn’t go into a boat bill of sale is essential for getting the job done right, from start to finish. Vessel documentation is our business, and, while…
Hopefully, this field guide has provided you with a better understanding of the Transfer Exchange of USCG Documentation. Your yacht should be knowledgeable about the transfer procedure, regardless of whether you are transferring ownership to the new owner or the boat has already been sold. Legally, the transfer of documents is not required in most…
Your boat is a significant investment that deserves careful attention. Ensuring you have all the essential information about your vessel is crucial. If you’re considering buying a larger boat for commercial use, conducting a USCG vessel lookup can provide valuable insights. This process, akin to uncovering hidden details about a boat that the seller might…
Things to Consider about Vessel Documentation and a MARAD Small Vessel Waiver Typically, commercial passenger vessels need to have been built in America in order to operate in U.S. waters. This tends to be a strictly enforced requirement, but should you own a vessel of foreign or unknown origin, there is a way for you…