What Is A Marad Small Vessel Waiver And How To Apply For It

If your boat doesn’t meet the standards outlined by the United States Coast Guard, you may be wondering how you can operate your small business anyway. Fortunately, in these cases, you can apply for a MARAD small vessel waiver that offers exceptions that might apply to you. This process must be done correctly and this guide will give you all of the information you need to know. 

The Rules of the MARAD Small Vessel Waiver

Before applying for a small vessel waiver, it’s a good idea to see if your boat qualifies, based on the guidelines set forth by the authorities in charge of approving your application. If you don’t meet these regulations, chances are very high that your application will be denied.

• Must be a United States citizen
• Must show proof of identification
• Your boat cannot transport more than 12 passengers at one time
• Transportation can be the only use for your boat
• The boat must be older than three years

If all of these conditions are met, you can go ahead and submit your application for a small vessel waiver. If you do not meet all of these conditions, you probably won’t be approved and should pursue other waivers or permits. In some cases, you can take action to meet these conditions, but in many situations, you won’t be able to modify your boat to be eligible for the MARAD small vessel waiver. If that’s true for you, the Coast Guard may have other alternatives that you can use to get your boat out on the water. 

The MARAD Application

Don’t fill out the MARAD application until you are sure you meet the above conditions. When you’re ready to apply, you can do so online, which expedites the process and eliminates the need to download the form, fill it out and mail it in. When you fill out the application, make sure all of the information is correct by checking and double checking it. Errors or incomplete information will result in the process taking longer and may even incur additional fees. It’s best to be sure everything is in order before you submit your application. 

How to Apply for the Waiver

As mentioned previously, the first step in applying for the MARAD waiver is to make sure you meet all of the conditions. Then, visit our website and navigate to the application for the waiver. Carefully fill out the information requested, then make sure it’s complete and accurate. Be sure you include any necessary additional paperwork or documents that are necessary, which is usually done by attaching documents to the application. You’ll also need to pay the fee to submit the application. Failure to do so can make the application process take much longer and could mean paying extra fees. 

It’s true that the MARAD small vessel waiver can be a bit frustrating and confusing. We’re here to help. Contact the Commercial Fisheries Permit Center today and we can assist you in determining if you qualify and walk you through the steps in the process if you want to go ahead with the application.