Documented Vessels

[nick4634]

Hi, I have a question about the process of documenting a vessel. I am looking at buying a 35 ft lobster boat built in the USA in 03 that is currently not documented because it is use for recreational fishing. I would be using it for commercial tuna and lobster fishing within 30 miles of shore and the boat would be moored in the piscataqua in NH. My questions are

Will I need to document this boat?
How complicated is the process?
Do I need a boating license above the NASBLA level to operate it?
Any extra safety gear besides offshore flares, immersion suits, epirbs etc?

Thanks for the help

 

[F/V First Team]

USCG National Vessel Documentation Center, Home Page

It's easy, you don't need a license or need someone with a license

 

[MDI45]

you could call Susan Ellis at coastal documentation service in maine ...they are very good

 

[F/V First Team]

Coastal Documentation of Spruce Head, Maine

 

[F/V First Team]

She just needs some basic questions answered and will do the rest for you, very professional

 

[nick4634]

ok cause I see 38 ft novis that are registered as 4.9 tons so they don't have to be documented and was thinking I could do the same thing just to save some hassle

 

[F/V First Team]

Novi's can't be documented...

 

[F/V First Team]

Well, they can, but there are some extreme circumstances
Normally they cannot

 

[Blacktide]

Do it your self and save money! I did

 

[nick4634]

Do it your self and save money! I did

What do you mean, is it expensive to document a boat?
How would I do it myself?

 

[F/V First Team]

Just follow the first link I tossed up there, it's fairly straightforward, small fee rather than a larger one having someone else do it for you

 

[Badlatitude]

Hi, I have a question about the process of documenting a vessel. I am looking at buying a 35 ft lobster boat built in the USA in 03 that is currently not documented because it is use for recreational fishing. I would be using it for commercial tuna and lobster fishing within 30 miles of shore and the boat would be moored in the piscataqua in NH. My questions are

Will I need to document this boat?
How complicated is the process?
Do I need a boating license above the NASBLA level to operate it?
Any extra safety gear besides offshore flares, immersion suits, epirbs etc?

Thanks for the help

BEFORE U TAKE THAT STEP just know a " commercial vessel is a major pain in the ass to insure for offshore fishing. I wound up getting pounded in my ass by loydes of london and they didnt give a flying F about my boat. chrunch your numbers before hand. a bullsht tuna permit is not exactly a "commercial vessel" just cross your Ts and dot your I's

 

[Blacktide]

The services that do it for you charge a fee. Follow the link First team put up. Download the forms and mail it back. It cost a hundred bucks the first time.

 

[Linesiders]

If your vessel is documented, does it also need a state registration? Or does that vary by the state that the vessel is moored in?

 

[F/V First Team]

documentation trumps state registration
still have to pay excise tax, that is unless you can bamboozle them into believing that you dont

 

[BillD]

If your vessel is documented, does it also need a state registration? Or does that vary by the state that the vessel is moored in?

My Blackfin was documented when I purchased it from FL.
Dummy me didn't "re-document/whatever" and went with MA 2 yr. registration renewal.

PIA, GO WITH DOCUMENTATION!

Move/use the boat wherever you want, no state renewal registrations!!

 

[Blitzen]

Keep in mind that if you are borrowing money to purchase the boat the lender will require the vessel to be documented.

 

[Blacktide]

documentation trumps state registration
still have to pay excise tax, that is unless you can bamboozle them into believing that you dont

Not correct for NY they still require it unless you can prove you are commercial.

 

[greg]

If your vessel is documented, does it also need a state registration? Or does that vary by the state that the vessel is moored in?

Yes and no. You don't need state registration numbers, but you may need a decal which costs the same (amazing, no?).

In RI, I need a decal and get it from the same desk you get registrations. In CT, I needed a certificate of decal, which also amazingly cost the same thing as registration.

Not to be confused with excise tax. You will still owe that either way if it applies to your locale.

 

[WoundUpMarine]

I know in boothbay i didnt need to register it or get numbers, but had to pay the excise tax, and the town was very happy i didnt pay my $57 dollars sooner!