Boat Owners Advisor
Answers to frequently asked questions from boat owners.

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General Information
▪ Can I allow my documentation to expire? ▪ Can I convert my documentation to a state title? ▪ Can I have a state title with Coast Guard documentation? ▪ How can I register my boat without proof of ownership? ▪ How do I get a boat lien release from a failed bank? ▪ How do I renew my Coast Guard documentation?	▪ How do I replace a lost certificate of documentation? ▪ How long can I boat in another state before registering? ▪ Is my boat description important on title documents? ▪ What if I lose my Coast Guard certificate of documentation? ▪ What should I get when my boat loan is paid off?

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				LEGAL FORMS PACKAGES Boat owners can establish a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or trust arrangement. BACKGROUND REPORTS Buyers and lenders should know who they are dealing with. Online background searches by Intelius. BOAT WEAR ONLINE Offering custom embroidered apparel designed especially for boat owners. BOATER EXAM This online course helps boaters obtain their boater education card or boating license. VESSEL RECORD SEARCH The internet's most powerful vessel record search with six major databases all rolled into one. VESSEL TITLE SERVICES A complete lineup of vessel documentation, state registration, and boat record search services. OWNER MAILING LISTS Coast Guard documentation owner mailing lists can be searched by multiple criteria.



Can I allow my documentation to expire? - If your coast guard documentation expires and there are no outstanding mortgages, it will simply become deleted from active status. Accordingly, you could no longer operate under the certificate of documentation. If you have an outstanding preferred vessel mortgage, it may violate the terms of a loan agreement by allowing the documentation to expire. In any event, it is prudent to submit a request for removal from documentation if you no longer elect to maintain the documentation. If you subsequently wish to reactivate the documentation, it will be necessary to apply for a re-documentation and submit the appropriate fees. ◄ Back / Resources ► Request for Removal Form Documentation Reinstatement Service Can I convert my documentation to a state title? - This can be easily accomplished unless you are using the boat for something other than pleasure usage or have granted a preferred mortgage to your lender. However, such conversion is not recommended as continuity of ownership on the Cost Guard abstract of title can be of value when you go to sell the boat. It is also important to maintain the documentation if you intend to cruise into foreign waters. In non-title states, documentation is especially desired because it offers a bona fide certificate of ownership. The conversion itself is fairly simple as it is just a matter of removing the boat from documentation and providing your state registration agency with an evidence of deletion certificate. ◄ Back / Resources ► Removal From Documentation & State Title Services Can I have a state title with Coast Guard documentation? - Federal regulations allow the states to issue registration certificates on boats, but not titles. However, state and federal agencies do not share or cross reference such information. Accordingly, many boats end up with both where the owners are not aware of these regulations. Owners with both should immediately surrender one or the other depending on how they wish for the boat to remain titled. ◄ Back / Resources ► Documentation & Title Services How can I register my boat without proof of ownership? - Federal and state boat registration agencies all have one thing in common. They require some type of evidence or proof that you hold rightful ownership of the boat you intend to title or register. However, the actual items you must ultimately produce will vary considerably among different agencies. The most stringent requirements are those of the U.S. Coast Guard when applying for documentation. The National Vessel Documentation Center simply will not establish or transfer documentation under your name without substantial proof that you own the vessel. Some states also have strict policies in this regard, others may be more casual in their requirements. A simple bill of sale with no other evidence may suffice in some states, but you must certify that the boat will be located in that respective jurisdiction. Many agencies also have bonding or conditional registration options available when an applicant can not produce proof of ownership. These typically become legitimized after a certain period of time if not contested by another party. You may also qualify for an abandoned boat transfer if such conditions exist. If all else fails, you will need to obtain a court order showing an award of ownership into your name. It may be worthwhile to seek professional assistance from our full-service boat titling affiliate if you have exhausted all other efforts. They can evaluate your situation and perhaps assist in obtaining a boat title or registration without sufficient proof of ownership. ◄ Back / Resources ► Coast Guard Documentation & State Registration Services Boat Registration Summary How do I get a boat lien release from a failed bank? - You can obtain a boat lien release from a failed, closed, or defunct bank by contacting the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). They will need information about the boat loan and proof that it was paid off. This would include a copy of the paid note, copies of payment checks, or anything else that would indicate payment. The resources link shown below will provide additional information. ◄ Back / Resources ► Lien Release From Failed Bank Documentation & Title Services How do I renew my Coast Guard documentation? - The National Vessel Documentation Center will send you a renewal notice each year approximately 45 days before your certificate of documentation is set to expire. The notice includes a renewal certification form which must be completed and returned. There is no fee involved if this happens before the expiration date. A minimal late fee will apply if renewed within 30 days of expiration. Beyond that, it will be necessary to apply for a complete re-documentation and pay all related fees. No consideration is given for an incorrect address so you must be sure it is kept current on their records. ◄ Back / Resources ► Documentation Reinstatement Services Renewal Certification Form How do I replace a lost certificate of documentation? - In order to obtain a replacement for a lost or mutilated certificate of documentation, it will be necessary to make an application with the U.S. Coast Guard. This is the same application form which is used for re-documenting a vessel and it must be submitted with the appropriate fees. You should then keep a copy of the application and evidence of submission on board until your new certificate arrives to show law enforcement agencies in case of an inspection. If you use the services of a documentation company, they can also provide a letter confirming the application and submission. ◄ Back / Resources ► Document Replacement Services How do I get a boat lien release from a failed bank? - You can obtain a boat lien release from a failed, closed, or defunct bank by contacting the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). They will need information about the boat loan and proof that it was paid off. This would include a copy of the paid note, copies of payment checks, or anything else that would indicate payment. The following link will provide contact information and instructions for obtaining a boat lien release from the FDIC: http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/information/lien/Boat.html ◄ Back / Resources ► Documentation & Title Services How long can I boat in another state before registering? - Each state has different registration, operational, and tax requirements. If the boat Coast Guard documented, it may not even be subject to registration in some sates. However, this will not likely exempt you from tax requirements. As a non-resident, you typically have 45 to 90 days of free usage before registration and tax requirements apply. You should always become familiar with registration and tax requirements before operating in any jurisdiction. ◄ Back / Resources ► Boat Registration Summary Is my boat description important on title documents? - The importance of an accurate and complete vessel description can not be understated with respect ownership documents such as titles, registrations, and loan security documents. The crucial link between the vessel itself and its "ships papers" becomes paramount in the event of a legal dispute or a boarding inspection. The manner in which vessels can be represented are, however, varied and can be subject to interpretations. Take for instance vessel hull identification numbers. The Coast Guard considers its self-assigned official number as the vessels primary identifier, whereas state titling agencies are more interested in the manufacturers hull identification number. In fact, the Coast Guard has shown only a recent interest in reconciling such numbers within its own database. In addition, vessels built prior to 1972 and those which are not initially built for U.S. consumption may only have three or four digit hull numbers, which are something less than unique. With physical descriptions, we again have some variations of interpretation between the Coast Guard and state titling agencies. In regard to year designations, the Coast Guard focuses solely on the year in which the vessels construction was completed. State titling agencies are more often interested in the factory designated model year which is often different. The Coast Guard is also more concerned about precise length measurements than model length designations as set forth by the builder. It is a good idea to become familiar with all of your vessel identification numbers and specifications. If these do not coincide any title and registration documents, the appropriate corrections should be implemented. ◄ Back / Resources ► Vessel Documentation Information State Boat Registration Information What if I lose my Coast Guard certificate of documentation? - You must apply immediately to the Coast Guard for a replacement certificate. Be sure to keep evidence of the application on board until your certificate has been issued. This should satisfy most law enforcement officials as temporary operating papers. If using the services of a professional documentation company, they can also issue a letter confirming that the application is inprogress. ◄ Back / Resources ► Document Replacement Services What should I get when my boat loan is paid off? - If the boat has been mortgaged under Coast Guard documentation, your lender must implement a satisfaction or release of mortgage recording on the boat's abstract of title. In this case, you should require the bank to furnish a copy of the instrument showing the recording information. If it is state titled, the bank will typically send you the title certificate showing their release. In some paperless title states, they will need to handle this directly through the registration agency. In a non-title state, the bank would have typically filed a Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) recording to secure their interest. You should then insist on evidence that a termination statement was filed. In any event, you should require proof that the appropriate title or mortgage releases were implemented as it may be extremely difficult later on when the lender has moved, merged with another institution, or gone out of business. ◄ Back / Resources ► Vessel Documentation and State Registration Services

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Boat Owners Advisor Answers to frequently asked questions from boat owners.

Boat Owners Advisor
Answers to frequently asked questions from boat owners.