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, there are very specific requirements for you. One important thing you need to be aware of involves vessel documentation, and you will see there is the great importance of getting the proper United States Coast Guard documentation for your vessel before you can start your business.
The Requirement of Documentation
According to current federal laws, any commercial vessel in the United States must go through the documentation process and receive a Certificate of Documentation (COD), so they can legally be in the water. The documentation is a form of the federal registry so that the Coast Guard can keep track of all the commercial vessels in use in U.S. waters at any given time. This documentation is important not only for security purposes but to help regulate commerce and trade. As an owner of a business using a vessel, you must fill out the forms to get documentation.
Filling Out Documentation Forms
When you are first starting your business, you will need to fill out the forms needed for the proper the United States Coast Guard documentation. The forms are available for download at the Coast Guard’s website so you can download them and print them out. You need to fill out the forms accurately, provide supporting documentation, and mail the forms to the Coast Guard for approval.
The Easier Path to Proper United States Coast Guard Documentation
If it seems cumbersome to get proper United States Coast Guard documentation in this manner, you can get help here at the Maritime Documentation Center and make things easier. We have the forms you need online, so you can fill them out on our website, upload your supporting documents, and send everything to us. We have experienced staff look at your forms and check them over to make sure they are correct before sending them to the Coast Guard for approval. We track the process for you so you know what is going on and when you can expect to receive your COD so you can start your business. Make things easier for yourself and use our services so you can get your business off the ground.