Maintaining Coast Guard Boat Documentation Come What May

Coast Guard Boat Documentation

Did something happen recently that you worry could cause your documentation status to be in jeopardy? Have you grown concerned that your vessel documentation might be due for renewal soon but aren’t entirely sure? We designed our Vessel Documentation Site to help with these questions and many others. Here, we believe that getting vessel documentation shouldn’t be difficult. Additionally, we don’t believe that hanging onto Coast Guard boat documentation should be difficult, either. We have many ways to help if something jeopardizes your status. 

Have you Recently Lost Your Certificate of Documentation? 

The truth is that you need an actual, physical Certificate of Documentation to be in compliance with the authorities. If you just have a picture of it on your phone or a photocopy, then your vessel is not documented. While this can be a bit scary, there’s a simple, viable solution: replacement. At our site, you can find the forms you need to get a replacement copy of your Certificate of Documentation. That way, you don’t have to worry about your certificate being lost or mutilated. 

Did your Coast Guard Boat Documentation Expire? 

Often, despite a vessel owner’s best efforts, they may miss their renewal deadline. This is the kind of thing that happens far more often than you might think. However, just because you missed the date, that does not mean that all is lost. In fact, there’s a clear pathway back to being in compliance at our site: reinstatement. Going the route of reinstatement can get you back to where you want to be. Remember: if the “renewal” deadline has passed, then you can no longer use the “renewal” form at our site. But, you can use “Reinstatement.” 

Easier Ways to Renew 

If you’re like many vessel owners who have seen their documentation expire, you may be determined to never let that happen again. We understand. In fact, we’ve made it so that it’s easier than ever to keep that promise. As you know, your documentation has to be renewed annually. However, if you go through our site, you can renew for up to five years in advance. What that means is that you’ll pay us, and when the time comes, we’ll renew it for you. That way, you never have to worry about your vessel documentation expiring ever again. 

More Than Just the Documentation 

This blog just covered some of the actions you can take to make sure that you don’t lose your documentation status in specific scenarios. Our site, Vessel Documentation Online, was actually built to help with so much more than that. For example, if you’re filing for a Preferred Ship’s Mortgage, you can do that at our site. Once you’ve paid off that mortgage, you can send in the “Satisfaction/Release of Mortgage/Lien” form at our site, too. If you have any questions about these forms or any of the others, our staff will be more than happy to answer all of them. Just call: (866) 981-8783.