Have you ever thought about altering the name of your yacht or the port it hails? If that’s the case, what’s the deadline for getting it done? We will provide you with an outline of the criteria for altering the name of a vessel and the hailing port in the United States in this blog article that we have written. Changing the name of your yacht is not a choice that should be made on a whim and should be carefully considered. Before you take any action, you should ensure you completely understand everything that may result from your choice. In addition, we will provide some advice on how to make the transfer go as smoothly as is humanly possible. Continue reading this article if you’re thinking of giving your yacht a new name if you do so! The following are some examples of how it may take place:
Your Boat’s Name Is No Longer Legal Due To Maritime Regulations
As any experienced sailor will tell you, the boat’s name is one of the essential details to get correctly. Choosing a memorable name for your boat is a crucial choice that may not seem like much at first. Pick a name that is simple to read and pronounce and reflects the sort of boat you’ve selected or the activities you want to do while on the water. You may have to choose a new name for your vessel if it turns out the one you’ve been using isn’t acceptable for registration purposes.
It’s not a simple choice to make because of all the considerations that come into play, including the name’s style and substance and whether or not there are any other boats with the same name in your region or adjacent ports. If other boats seem similar to yours in the area, it doesn’t matter how well you plan out your boat’s design; people may still be confused. Don’t freak out if this occurs; it’s simply a part of being a boat owner responsible for maintaining the boat’s registration.
The Name of Your Boat Is Causing Confusion with Other Boats or Vessels
Every sailor worth their salt knows the value of a solid reputation. It’s not simply a precaution to take before setting sail; it’s also an opportunity to promote your ship and attract potential passengers. Like names for everything else, names for boats need to be distinctive enough to avoid misunderstanding with similar vessels. You may need to modify your boat’s name or hailing port before you can legally begin using the new name in international waters or the United States, for example, if it is too similar to the name of an existing boat or vessel.
It may be necessary to change your boat’s name or to hail port before you can legally begin boating with the new name if it is identical to the name of another vessel in any U.S. waters or is similar to the name of another vessel in any U.S. waters. There is likely confusion between the vessels because of their similarity in sound, meaning, or appearance.
You Would Like To Commemorate Someone Who Has Passed Away By Naming Your Vessel after Them
Since you’ve invested so much into your boat, it’s only fitting that she has a name in which you take pride. Sometimes it’s essential to alter your name, not because you no longer like it, but because it’s no longer acceptable under the law. You may need to rename your ship if the person for whom it was named has gone away or if the original inspiration for the name is no longer relevant. Many factors determine whether or not you may preserve a vessel’s name after its namesake has died away.
Depending on the jurisdiction, it may be illegal to give a ship the name of a live person. However, if the person’s birth date is within the last century (making them still alive), permission from their family to maintain the name may often be obtained. This procedure may differ significantly based on where you reside and how accessible their relatives are. Forms may be filled out and sent for processing in many nations, with long waits between submission and notification of acceptance or rejection.
Do a Hailing Port Change If You’ve decided to Move Your Boat to another State or Country.
You’ve decided to sail your yacht to a new location, maybe in a different nation. Changing the name and hailing the port on the Coast Guard registration documentation is sometimes necessary when moving a vessel. This is because boats’ registration requirements vary from state to state. Furthermore, the international registration is governed by different laws in each jurisdiction. You have acquired new shipmates and altered the ship’s ownership.
There is a good chance that the previous owner of a secondhand boat registered it before you bought it. In this instance, you may assume ownership in place of them (or vice versa). It becomes trickier if you’re buying a brand-new boat or if the title document does not name a former owner. If this is the case, you may need to submit a new application along with a bill of sale or other evidence of ownership to ensure that you are held liable for any future taxes and fees related to this vessel (such as insurance premiums).
Maritime Documentation Center can help you with every process step, including obtaining your vessel documentation and making name and hailing port changes. Call them at (800) 535-8570 today for more information.