You have spent months looking through online advertisements, publications, and ship brokers for a recreational vessel that suits all your wants and needs. None of them had seemed just right to you until just now when you came across that ship for sale that is ideal. It is the right size, has the features and amenities you have been looking for, and it is even close by so that you can go and see it in person to see what it is like. Once you look at it for yourself, you feel like this is finally the one and are ready to jump in and make an offer so that you are sure to get it. Before you get too far ahead of yourself, you do want to learn about the background of the boat, so you know what you are getting. Acquiring a USCG abstract of title can be a help to you and let you know if this is indeed the boat for you.
What an Abstract Provides
If you are not familiar with an abstract of title, the abstract is background information about the vessel you are considering. All ships that are documented with the Coast Guard must provide certain information regarding the vessel, and this information is retained by the Coast Guard and made available if needed. The abstract can give you the information about the chain of ownership so that you know how many owners the boat has had and when it was built. You can also get important lien information about the boat so that you know if there are any encumbrances on the ship that can send up red flags to you.
Filing for an Abstract
A USCG abstract of title can be obtained from the Coast Guard by contacting the National Vessel Documentation Center. The center oversees maintaining the records for documented vessels for the Coast Guard. There is a form that you will need to fill out so you can request the abstract, and you will need some information about the vessel in question, such as the vessel name and documentation number. There is also a processing fee charged, and once the center receives your information, they will go about processing your request.
Help Getting an Abstract of Title
If getting a USCG abstract of title will help you decide if the boat of your dreams is right for you, you can come to us here at the Maritime Documentation Center for assistance. You can find the form you need to request an abstract online at our website so that you can fill it out on your computer and send it right to us. Our experts will check it over and pass it along to the USCG for you so that you know the information is correct and will get the attention for processing it needs right away. In no time at all, you can have the information you want that can help you make your decision about your dream vessel.