USCG Vessel Documentation

[Sea Hunt Video]

For those with USCG vessel documentation, beginning 01 January 2022 recreational Certificates of Documentation will be issued with a five (5) year validity. This five (5) year documentation is the only renewal option available. The price is $130. It used to be $26 per year. So, the per year fee has not changed.

As always, be cautious of private companies selling vessel documentation and renewal services. They may be legal but they are not endorsed by the Coast Guard. They also typically charge much more than the Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center. If the paperwork you get comes from an address in "Falling Waters, West Virginia" you can be confident it is an official USCG mailing. All you have to remember is that there is not a single lake, river or pond, let alone a "navigable waterway" anywhere near "Falling Waters". Thus, the logical location for a USCG documentation center, thanks to the efforts of the late Senator Robert Byrd.

[ghockaday]

Always good to be reminded about the scammers. DMV has similar sites and traps. Dee

[Joe Myerson]

Thanks for the notification, Roberto.
I fell for a scam last year--for the first and, hopefully, only time. It's easy to deal directly with the USCG Documentation Center in that great seafaring state of West Virginia. (Thank you Sen. Robert Byrd).

--Joe

[John Stone]

Always a great reminder Roberto. Thanks. I for one am glad there is a five year option. Major pain to do it every year especially when you are out voyaging....

[Paul D.]

Yes, Thank you for that.

Serving a long time in government has its benefits. When I worked in the semi political world - as a mercenary for clean water and healthy forests - we used to call those little tidbits of legislation for his home state "Byrd Droppings".