Do you know why the vessel documentation is required? You must operate a boat with the proper documents. It is about the registration and safety of your ship and the others on the water. There are two types of requirements for vessel documentation. The first type is federal requirements set by USCG (United States Coast Guard).
They may include certain equipment and safety features on a boat. In addition, they require that certain information be documented, as well as several other things. The second type of requirement comes from your state or local government.
The requirements for documenting a vessel differ from state to state, but all states require you to register your boat with them at some point. Most states will allow you to register your boat without having the documentation from USCG completed, but those that do not can sometimes charge fines for operating an unregistered vessel. Here are tips on how to maintain your vessel documentation online.
Update Your Registration Regularly
If you own a vessel, you must keep a logbook. If you don’t, it’s easy to get in trouble with the Coast Guard and other officials who are supposed to be able to find you if there’s a problem.
Even if your boat is tiny and unlikely ever to need help from the Coast Guard, keeping a log for legal reasons or in case something goes wrong is a good idea. If your boat sinks and there’s no record of your name, ownership, and contact information, it will be harder for people to find you or even know you’re missing.
With this in mind, keeping good records is essential. Most states have their own laws about how registration verification, inspection reports, and similar documents should be filed online. Whenever you have anything done to your vessel that would require an inspection report, like an oil change or repairs, make sure you fill it out and attach it to your VRI account so that everyone can see where your boat has been recent.
Keep an Eye Out For New Equipment or Safety Requirements
Maintaining current vessel paperwork is one method of meeting safety and device regulations. However, if you cannot store your watercraft in one location for an extended period, maintaining accurate records cannot be easy.
Luckily, keeping all of your vital records online is simple, so you’ll have access to them whenever you need them. A Certificate of Documentation, Certificate of Number, and Vessel Safety Equipment List are just some of the papers you’ll receive from the USCG when you register your boat.
Keep electronic versions of these papers in a central location to ensure understanding when it comes time to present them for inspection by authorities.
Report Changes in Ownership and Name
When you buy a boat, you must register it with the National Maritime Registry. You can use the new owners’ personal information to make the transfer, but having a few extra things in case they’re unavailable can be helpful.
For example, if they’ve changed their name since they bought the boat, you’ll have to fill out paperwork for the name change. If they’re on vacation or otherwise unavailable, you may need to get some of that information from another person in charge of the boat.
A good way to ensure everything is in order is to print out your vessel documentation and always keep copies with you. The vessel documentation has important information about your boat’s description, ownership, and other details.
Update Your Insurance Information If Needed For Your Vessel Documentation
If you are a boat owner, it is important to maintain your vessel documentation online. You have to update your insurance information if needed, or else you will have a hard time claiming your insurance in case of an accident. There are different ways you can get updated with your vessel documentation.
If you use the same insurance company for multiple vehicles, contact them for an updated policy copy. If you have a car and use the same insurance company, you can use this as leverage so they will send you an updated copy of your policy.
If you can no longer access their number, you can call the agency directly and ask them for a copy of the policy. For them to give it to you, present yourself as a boat owner who wants an updated copy of their approach.
Contact Us Today
The Commercial Fishing Permits Center was created to provide quality services regarding your vessel documentation. Contact us today for more information on how we can help ensure your fishing vessel is up to date and complying with the most current state and federal laws.
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