Vessel documentation is the Federal registration of commercial and recreational vessels, of at least 5 net tons, with the United States Coast Guard and it is only available to United States citizens.

• Documentation establishes an Internationally recognized Maritime Title.
• Acts as the vessel's passport in foreign waters and assists in customs clearance.
• Allows you to operate your vessel on any waterway in the United States without going through each State's registration process.
• Establishes an official basis for vessel identification.
• The Coast Guard maintains a history of ownership, mortgages, claims and liens, thus an Abstract of Title can be furnished upon request. This is especially important at the time of purchase.
• Most lenders require that the vessel be Federally Documented. This allows the lender to perfect a security interest, called a First Preferred Ship Mortgage, in the vessel that they are making a loan on.

Maritime Documentation Companies

Please note: This list is provided as a courtesy only, and does not constitute
any recommendation by Sunny Coast Yachts.

• Dona Jenkins Maritime Document Service
  Bernadine Trusso
  (619) 223-2279
• The Mary Conlin Company
  Mary Bacon
  (800) 303-0015