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Types of Boats Documented
To be documented, a boat must measure at least five net tons (a measure of
volume, not weight) which includes most boats 25’ and over. With the
exception of commercial vessels, the boat must be wholly owned by a citizen
or entity of the US. Boats of five net tons or more used in fishing
activities, coastwise trade such as transportation of merchandise or
passengers, towboats and dredges must be documented.
Endorsements
A Certificate of Documentation may be endorsed for specific boating
activities, such as commercial fishing, coastwise trade including
transporting passengers for hire and various other commercial activities,
recreational use, or registry to establish that the boat is owned by a US
citizen. The boat owner may be required to demonstrate that both owner and
boat are qualified for the activity for which a particular endorsement is
sought. Any documented boat may be used for recreational purposes
regardless of its endorsement but a boat documented with a recreational
endorsement may not be used for any other purpose.
For corporate owners seeking a coastwise endorsement, at least 75% of the
corporation’s stock must be vested in US citizens for a coastwise
endorsement. For a corporate fisheries endorsement, more than 50% of the
voting stock must be vested in US citizens.
Establishing Boat Ownership
If the boat is new and has never been documented, ownership may be
established by submission of a Builder's Certification naming the
applicant for documentation as the person for whom the boat was built or to
whom it was first transferred. Also acceptable is a transfer on a
Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, a copy of the state registration or
title, or foreign registration showing that the applicant owns the boat.
In the case of a previously owned boat, the applicant must present a US
Coast Guard Bill of Sale or other evidence showing transfer of the boat
from the person who last documented, titled or registered it, or to whom
the boat was transferred on a Builder's Certification or Manufacturer's
Certificate of Origin.
Establishing US Citizenship
In addition to private US citizens, corporations, partnerships and other
entities capable of holding legal title may be deemed citizens for
documentation purposes. Corporations must be registered in a state of the
US; the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors
must be US citizens, and no more than a minority of the number of directors
necessary to constitute a quorum may be non-citizens. In addition, at
least 75% of the stock must be vested in US citizens for a coastwise
endorsement, and more than 50% of the voting stock must be vested in US
citizens for a fisheries endorsement.
Name & Hailing Port
Documented boats do not display official numbers on the outside of the
hull; they are identified instead by name and hailing port. The
application for documentation must include the boat’s name composed of no
more than 33 letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals.
The boat’s name and hailport must be clearly displayed on the hull, usually
on the transom, and a marking certificate must be signed attesting that
the name and hailport adhere to size, color and visibility regulations.
Once established, a boat’s name and hailport may not be changed without
application, fees and the consent of the US Coast Guard’s Documentation
Center.
A documented boat must also have its official documentation number and net
tonnage permanently affixed to a clearly visible interior structural
part of the boat. For information on how to properly affix your
documentation number to your boat’s interior.
Preferred Mortgage
A preferred mortgage is a legal maritime lien against the boat’s ownership.
Your lender may require you to document your boat in order to acquire a
preferred mortgage, which grants the lender a first priority contractual
lien position against your boat in the event of default. In addition, the
Coast Guard is prohibited from making certain changes in documentation,
including change of ownership, name and hailing port, without consent of
the mortgagee.
Abstract of Title
An Abstract of Title shows the registered owner of the boat, as well as all
Bills of Sale, mortgages and notices of claim of lien on the boat that have
been filed and recorded by the US Coast Guard. It is considered the best
evidence of lien status.
Annual Renewal
A Certificate of Documentation (COD) is valid for one year from the date of
issue, providing there are no changes other than a change of owner’s
address. The certificate must be renewed annually and it is the owner’s
responsibility to ensure that the document does not expire. The US Coast
Guard sends a Notice of Renewal to the managing owner of the boat
approximately 45 days prior to expiration. There is no fee for the annual
renewal, but a great deal of paperwork and fees should the certificate be
allowed to expire.
Sale of a Documented Boat
A certificate is nontransferable and should not be given to a new owner.
When you sell your boat, you must return the original Certificate of
Documentation to the National Vessel Documentation Center along with a
brief note that you sold the boat. When the sale is finalized, you should
complete the proper Bill of Sale for the new owner to use if he wishes to
document the boat. The new owner must send one signed original and one
copy of the Bill of Sale, along with an Application for Documentation and
fees to the National Vessel Documentation Center. The buyer may use the
Bill of Sale as evidence of the transfer of ownership to obtain state
registration and/or title if he chooses not to document the boat.
If you have an outstanding mortgage of record against your boat, make sure
the mortgagee (the lender) completes a Satisfaction of Mortgage form and
mails an original and one copy to the National Vessel Documentation Center
as your boat cannot be removed from documentation with an outstanding
mortgage.
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