When you are the owner of a new vessel, you might want to know more about its history and previous owners. In order to do this, it is important that you understand exactly what is a documented vessel, what such a document can tell you about your boat, and what it means for you as the new ship owner. By learning more about what it means to have a documented vessel, you can understand how to get the most from this situation, and how to ensure that your vessel remains documented in the future. Talking to the Maritime Documentation Center about your requirements, and what you need to get help with the paperwork, will allow you to be more confident in using this system to protect your boat.
What Does Documentation Mean?
There are several ways in which you can register your boat. You may be able to do so through the local state bodies, which will register and tax your vessel, but only within the state. If you wish to move the boat, then you will have to go through the whole registration process again. For something more permanent and long-lasting, you may decide to have the boat registered with the US Coast Guard, obtaining something known as the Certificate of Documentation. This documentation will allow you to travel in US waters, as well as being protected in international waters. Commercial vessels which are more than 5 net tons have to be documented with the USCG. We can offer you advice about the different options for registering your boat in the US.
Why Choose Documentation?
There are several reasons why ship owners choose to register their vessels with the USCG. Firstly, they are better able to protect you in foreign waters, giving you status as a flag vessel of the US. Secondly, when you take out a loan to buy the vessel, you will likely be required to get a certificate of documentation. If you are buying a second-hand boat which is already documented, then this is an advantage since you are likely to be able to follow the chain of ownership and titles through the Abstract of Title documentation. This is a big bonus both when buying, and when you come to sell the boat in the future.
Learn More About Documentation with Us
If you want to ask us more questions about what is a documented vessel, and what the process involves, then you need to speak to the team at Maritime Documentation Center today. We have a lot of information about the vessel requirements, the use of documentation in searches, and how you can use it to your advantage as the owner of a vessel. To ask us any questions about this, simply reach out to the team today by contacting us through our online message form, search our blog, where you can find lots of information about documentation, or speak to us directly by calling us at (800) 535-8570 now.