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How to Document Your Boat with the United States Coast Guard
15 May 2020 · 22 min · 16K views
What this video covers
Documenting a recreational vessel with the United States Coast Guard provides federal registration that simplifies international travel and eliminates the requirement to display state-issued registration numbers on the hull.2:03 To qualify, a vessel must be at least five net tons, which generally corresponds to a length of 25 feet or more, and the owner must be a U.S. citizen.2:45 The process requires submitting an application, proof of ownership (such as a state title and registration), and a simplified measurement form to calculate net tonnage.10:16 When measuring depth for the tonnage calculation, owners must measure from the lowest point of the keel to the top of the toe rail, rather than using the vessel's draft.14:56 All documents must be submitted as PDFs, either by mail or email.18:37 Initial documentation costs $133, with an optional $104 fee for a five-year renewal.7:52 Once documented, the vessel must display its name and hailing port on the exterior, and the assigned documentation number must be permanently affixed inside the hull.4:09
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