Our expertise makes wading through the paperwork necessary for yacht ownership a breeze.
The documentation and licensing of a recreational vessel can be a complex and time-consuming task for boat owners. Our experience and prompt, courteous service assists yacht owners with Coast Guard documentation, registration options, and the official boat papers for boat sale or purchase.
Documentation refers to the federal registration of a recreational or commercial boat with the United States Coast Guard and is recognized internationally as a certificate of ownership and nationality. As a founding member of the American Vessel Documentation Association (AVDA), Maritime Services Group can provide US Coast Guard vessel documentation to boat owners throughout the United States. A documented boat is identified by an official number. This permanent numbering system acts as a theft deterrent as documented vessels are protected as Vessels of the United States. If stolen, a documented boat falls under federal jurisdiction for recovery and prosecution, rather than state or local. To be federally documented, the owners must be citizens of the United States. Most yachts over 26 feet in length qualify for documentation.
Maritime Services Group Documentation, LLC handles boat papers for the following:
- Coast Guard documentation of recreational and commercial vessels
- Renewal of Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation
- FCC/VHF State Registration and Licenses (Federal Communications Commission/ Very High Frequency)
- Customs re-entry decals
- Closing and escrow services for boats
- Filing a ship's preferred mortgage
- Obtaining an abstract of title for your yacht
- Claim of lien
- Bill of sales