Starting From Scratch? Here’s How To Register Your Boat With The Coast Guard

If you’re a vessel owner in the United States, you first need to register your boat with the Coast Guard. You may complete writing your yacht with the United States Coast Guard online; however, you will need to have some information on hand before beginning the procedure.

If you have just acquired a boat or are in the process of registering it with the United States Coast Guard is one of the next steps you will need to do. This can be done quickly via our website, but before you get started, there are a few items you need to be sure you have.

Make Sure Your Boat Meets All Eligibility Requirements
Just what could go wrong? You may ask yourself if you’ve just purchased a boat and are ready to put it to use. In any case, you can expect difficulties registering your yacht with the United States Coast Guard if you are still familiar with the procedure.

Similar to the requirements for auto registration, boat registration in most states require the submission of basic information regarding the boat, evidence of ownership and insurance, and a marine surveyor’s report. Your boat must be at least 16 feet in length, can propel itself, and have a valid Certificate of Documentation from the Coast Guard (if required) to be registered.

Small Vessel Register Program documentation may be available for your vessel if it does not satisfy these standards but is less than five years old and has never been previously recorded by the USCG or any other country’s government.

Gather All Required Documentation to Register Your Boat
Even if the procedure to register a yacht with the coast guard has been shortened, it is only sometimes a simple process. Before you can figure out what you need to accomplish, you have first to understand why you’re engaging in this activity in the first place.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) wants every vessel operating on the ocean to be included in its database. This will allow them to better monitor boats that have been abandoned, stolen, or lost. When they get a distress call, it also helps them figure out who owns each ship because of this information.

Before you can register your boat with the coast guard, however, there are a few things you need to ensure that the coast guard never discovers it. This is because, under normal circumstances, you would prefer the coast guard not to notice your boat.

Complete the Registration Form Accurately
The second action is registering your boat with the US Coast Guard (USCG). Although this is a difficult undertaking, it is easy if you know what to do and where to go. Any vessel longer than 16 feet, heavier than 26 pounds, or powered by an engine of more than ten horsepower must be registered with the United States Coast Guard.

Having your yacht registered with us online is the simplest option. To prepare a form for you to print out and submit with payment, they will ask you questions about your vessel, like its name, weight, length, and kind of engine. If you’re unsure whether or not your boat has to be registered, need assistance filling out the registration application, or want recommendations for reputable marinas in your area, the U.S. Vessel Documentation Center is here to help.

Pay the Required Fees
Paying the necessary fees will likely be one of the first steps that will be required of you. You can pay with a credit card on this page or send a check or money order to the address listed below in the form. In either case, make sure that your payment includes your full name, address, the name of your vessel, and its hull identification number (HIN).

Suppose you do not possess a vessel but want to register a boat with the Coast Guard and are constructing that boat from the ground up. In that case, you will need to give some extra information before registering for your Certificate of Documentation. This is the case if you are building the boat from scratch. If this describes your circumstances, continue reading so we can provide you with more information about the types of documentation necessary to obtain your license.

If you’ve just acquired a previously-owned boat and it still needs to be documented with the Coast Guard, there are several documents you need to reach before it’s seaworthy and legal to operate. If it has been used after being documented, but the owner is no longer in possession of the documentation, you’ll need to contact us through our website for more information. We can also help with new vessel construction and vessel transfers.

The Benefits Of Using Our National Vessel Documentation Center

You are required to use the National Vessel Documentation Center if you are the owner of a boat owned by the United States Coast Guard. A handful of the many advantages are as follows: NVDC can assist you with vessel transfer and sale operations, as well as keeping track of your documents and the current state of your registration. Additionally, they provide services related to historical data. In addition, NVDC provides customer service of a world-class standard; as a result, you can always have complete peace of mind knowing that you are in excellent hands. Using the U.S. Vessel Documentation Center may provide users with various advantageous outcomes. Our staff is committed to assisting boat owners in navigating the paperwork process, and we provide a comprehensive variety of services designed to make the process simpler for you. The following is a list of justifications for why you ought to utilize our service:

We Offer Personal Assistance Every Step of the Way

We provide one-on-one guidance at every stage of the process. According to icrc.org, the procedure of registering a yacht causes a great deal of anxiety for many individuals, but our service makes it much less stressful than it used to be. When a client comes to us with a question about how to finish a certain process stage, our team is more than delighted to assist them in any way possible. We have an experienced staff who can provide step-by-step instructions on completing any procedure stage, from the steps necessary to accomplish a title transfer to the documents that must be completed when purchasing a new engine. Our team is available to assist you in determining whether or not you have satisfied all of the essential dates and standards for each step. They will ensure that your registration is done as fast as possible so that you may start enjoying your new boat as soon as possible.

We Have a Comprehensive Knowledge of Documentation Requirements Just Like the National Vessel Documentation Center
Every year, we are contacted by hundreds of individuals who are interested in learning more about the restrictions imposed by the US Coast Guard for the registration of boats, vessels, and yachts. We do our best to respond to these inquiries as soon as possible. We know all about your options for registering your vessel in the United States, thanks to our more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Whether your vessel is based on an inland or coastal waterway, such as a yacht or a recreational fishing boat, or whether it is a ship that will travel across an ocean, we are familiar with all of your options (in which case it would be registered through International Registrations). Our staff is dedicated to offering services that are not just timely and professional but also personalized to your specific requirements.

We Provide Fast and Accurate Service

Our National Vessel Documentation Center takes great satisfaction in the fact that we can finish the whole procedure in a matter of days since this is our area of expertise as a firm that specializes in the provision of documentation for boats. Because we have simplified the process and eliminated any unnecessary stages, we are now in a position to accomplish this goal. This enables us to finish the procedure rapidly while ensuring the security of your vessel. Within twenty-four hours after receiving your request, we will handle all aspects of the national vessel documentation requirements that pertain to your vessel, from start to end. You are free to take it easy at home or the office while we take care of everything for you. You do not need to be concerned about missing work or school or spending time at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

We’re always Up-To-Date on Changes to Regulations.

While some of our competitors may have made a name for themselves by covering the fundamentals of documentation and vessel management, we’ve developed an equally impressive reputation for always being on top of the latest changes to federal, state, and local laws and regulations. While our competitors may have made a name for themselves, we’ve made a name for ourselves by always being on top of the latest changes. We are always bringing them to your notice so that you may maintain the order of the documentation associated with your boat, preventing you from incurring penalties or possibly losing your vessel entirely. We have convenient hours every day of the year, regardless of the season, and if you call us in advance, we can ensure that our office will be fully staffed with competent personnel whenever you come. Our hours are the same throughout the whole year.

The U.S. Vessel Documentation Center is your one-stop shop for all your vessel documentation needs. We make it easy to get the paperwork you need to start your vessel, continue your voyage, or sell your boat. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we can answer any questions you have about boat registrations, titling, and more. Call us today at (800) 340-7580 to speak with a representative.