There are many reasons to document your vessel with the U.S. Coast Guard. They range from a place to record a lien to peace of mind in foreign waters. Whether your bank is requiring it or you want your vessel document in preparing for cruising into foreign waters, we can handle all paperwork, applications and filing on your behalf. Our Staff will make it a simple and easy experience. We will even issue you a running letter to use during the process time.

What are the advantages of documenting your boat with the Coast Guard? (Courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard)
The difference between Documentation and State registration is that Documentation is a form of Federal Registration for larger boats (5 net tons or more). It has two basic advantages:
1) Documentation makes it easier to get bank financing. A bank will often stipulate that boat must be documented.
Documentation makes it easier to establish the identity of the vessel when cruising foreign waters (the Coast Guard Documentation serves as a "passport" for the vessel).
2) Recreational boats of 5 net tons or more (approximately 35 feet in length and over) are eligible (but not required) to be documented by the Coast Guard. Documenting a boat is generally more expensive than registering it with the State, but it may have advantages if the boat is used for international travel. Some States will require registration of a boat even if it is documented.

If a pleasure craft owner wishes to have a vessel documented as a yacht, it can be done if:
The vessel is 5 net tons or more.
The owner is a citizen of the United States.
The vessel is used exclusively for pleasure.
The owner can establish the necessary facts of construction and ownership.
This will document the yacht as a vessel of the United States, but it will not exempt it from any applicable State or Federal taxes. Furthermore, the fact that the yacht is documented will not excuse the owner from complying with safety and equipment regulations of the Federal or State governments in the State in which the vessel is used.

Vessels may be documented in three categories: pleasure, commercial, or commercial with a pleasure endorsement.

Call or email today, 203 356 0400 or rcmys@aol.com