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What is Coast Guard Documentation?
US Coast Guard documentation is a federal
form of boat registration controlled, monitored, and completed
by the United States Coast Guard. When a vessel is registered
with the Coast Guard it is given an official document number
which remains with the boat, permanently displayed on an
interior part of the hull. The issuance of the document
number begins the Coast Guard history of the vessel. All
future transactions are recorded and appear on the Abstract
of Title produced by the Coast Guard.
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What are the advantages of Coast Guard
Documentation?
US Coast Guard documentation provides a history
and record of build and ownership for the vessel owner.
This history is maintained at the Coast Guard and is provided
upon request in the form of an Abstract of Title, reflecting
all recorded ownership transfers, mortgage recordings, claims
of lien and releases. This allows a boater to sell his boat,
and a buyer to buy that boat, and be assured it is free
and clear of all recorded liens and encumbrances. When Financing Your boat, lenders rely on the USCG records of documented vessels
to confirm their security interest will be perfected by
a First Preferred Ship Mortgage recorded with the Coast
Guard.
Boaters cruising in international waters
often prefer federal documentation to attain certain protections
afforded by the US flag, which include aid from the US consulate
when you are in need. Foreign port officials easily recognize
federally documented vessels and appreciate that the ownership
is supported by a detailed Abstract of Title reflecting
all recordings.
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Can anyone document their boat?
No, you must be a US citizen or naturalized
citizen to document your boat with the US Coast Guard. If
the owner of the vessel is an entity, that entity must be
owned by citizens of the US as well.
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What boats can be documented?
Generally boats that are in excess of 26'
can have a Coast Guard Documentation performed. The Coast
Guard has developed a measurement formula that determines
gross and net tonnage using the length, breadth, and depth
of the vessel, and those boats with a measurement of 5 net
tons or more can be documented. There are no further restrictions
for pleasure boats operating under a recreational endorsement,
however vessels operating in the commercial trade must be
built in the United States.
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Who can a Coast Guard Documentation
process do for me?
There are many marine documentation agencies
across the US that can handle the transaction for you.
Your lender, yacht broker, or dealer may
refer you to a specialist in their area, or you may contact
the American Vessel Documentation Association (AVDA) at
888-832-2832 for a list of those near you. Or visit their
web site at www.americanvessel.com.
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