Information Needed To Begin The Documentation Process

NEW VESSEL

1. Manufacturer of Vessel—Builder’s Certificate and Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin—Dealer name, address, telephone number and contact person

2. Buyer(s) information—Name, address, telephone number and social security number (if the vessel is to be titled in a corporate name we need the Articles of Incorporation/Organization and the federal EIN number)

3. Name of Vessel

4. Hailing Port of Vessel—The hailing port is a city and state location that the Coast Guard requires to be painted on the stern of the vessel under the name of the vessel. Any city and state in the U.S. can be used.

5. Mortgagee information—Legal name of bank (or financing entity), address, telephone number and contact person; terms of the promissory note.

PREVIOUSLY DOCUMENTED VESSEL

1. Name and official number of vessel—a Title Search must be requested from the Coast Guard; please allow 3 to 4 days to obtain this information.

2. Dealer information (see above)

3. Seller(s) information—Name, address and telephone number

4. Buyer(s) information (see above)

5. Mortgagee’s information (see above)

6. New name of vessel (if it is to be changed) and hailing port (see above)

USED VESSEL—Never documented before, but under state registration/titling or foreign registry

1. Copy of the state registration/title or foreign registry. If the vessel is foreign registered, the vessel must be deleted from the foreign registry before we can begin the documentation process. This can be a time consuming process.

2. Proceed same as above for a NEW VESSEL

MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTATION INFORMATION

Vessels documented from state registration/title are restricted to pleasure use only. Foreign built vessels are restricted to pleasure use only. There is now a Small Vessel Waiver that may allow a foreign built vessel to be used in the Coastwise trade. We will be glad to discuss this information if needed. Prior foreign ownership or registry can create restrictions on documentation. Any of these situations need to be acknowledged and discussed prior to documentation, especially if the vessel is to be used in any commercial venture.

There are four trades that apply to vessels:

RECREATIONAL—This trade indicates that a vessel is used for pleasure use only.

COASTWISE—This trade indicates that a vessel is used to carry passengers and/or cargo for hire in U. S. waters.

FISHERY—This trade indicates that a vessel is engaging in commercial fishing, catching and selling fish.

REGISTRY—This trade indicates that a vessel is used to carry passengers and/or cargo for hire in foreign waters.

A vessel may carry more than one trade.

There are many exceptions with documentation. It is best to obtain as much information as possible and then contact this office for a consultation. We will assist you in organizing the documentation process.

We provide all necessary application forms, bills of sale and mortgage paperwork that is required by the Coast Guard.