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Federal Documentation

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Scott M, Sep 19, 2016.

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  1. Scott M, Sep 19, 2016
    #1
    Scott M

    Scott M Member

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    I am hoping that one of you experts can help me.

    I was boarded by the Coast Guard for a standard safety check a few weeks ago while underway on the Chesapeake Bay. Everything checked out...no problems. They were getting ready to leave and one of the Coast Guardsman said that he was surprised that the boat was not Documented. I told him that there is no lienholder (who would typically require that) and I registered it with the State of Maryland. He said that any boat (commercial or pleasure) must be documented if it is over 5 tons. He then showed me in his rule book, where it stated exactly that. I have read some conflicting and unclear federal guidelines in an effort to clarify.

    Does anyone here know if this is true or not? Thanks.

    BTW...they did not cite me for any violation of the rule...if you were wondering:)
  2. olderboater, Sep 19, 2016
    #2
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    No, it is not true. It may be documented it it's over 5 tons. No size must be.

    Bet he doesn't know how tons are arrived at either as it isn't weight but it's volume based. You're perfectly ok. He's perfectly confused or you misunderstood.
  3. chesapeake46, Sep 19, 2016
    #3
    chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    I was boarded for a safety check a couple weeks ago also off of the Choptank.
    Mine is registered also, no mention of documentation.
  4. Pascal, Sep 20, 2016
    #4
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    BS. Doc is optional and there is a minimum displacement to qualify but there is no rule that says a boat must be.
  5. Scott M, Sep 29, 2016
    #5
    Scott M

    Scott M Member

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    That is what I thought. Thanks for the input!
  6. GhostriderIII, Oct 7, 2016
    #6
    GhostriderIII

    GhostriderIII Senior Member

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    The only requirement for Fed Docs is if you have a lienholder (i.e. bank). It may have been desirable at some point in time to have boat documented but no longer. State registration is still required, unless you're under a foreign flag.
  7. Charleston, Oct 13, 2016
    #7
    Charleston

    Charleston New Member

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    It might still be helpful when returning to the U.S. from a foreign country.
  8. GhostriderIII, Oct 13, 2016
    #8
    GhostriderIII

    GhostriderIII Senior Member

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    Not really. We have to send our arrival package 72 hrs prior to quaratine dock.
  9. Pascal, Oct 14, 2016
    #9
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Us customs doesn't care whether you re documented or not when coming back... They ll take a state reg or doc nr. No difference. Thousands of undocumented boats go back an forth to the Bahamas. No issues, no need to warm them ahead of time either. Not sure what this has to do with the question
  10. GhostriderIII, Oct 18, 2016
    #10
    GhostriderIII

    GhostriderIII Senior Member

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  11. dennismc, Oct 18, 2016
    #11
    dennismc

    dennismc Senior Member

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    I dont think he is involved in "trade"
  12. GhostriderIII, Oct 20, 2016
    #12
    GhostriderIII

    GhostriderIII Senior Member

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    OP is not. We are. There are specific rules we must obey prior to entering any US port.
  13. Pascal, Oct 20, 2016
    #13
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Irrelevant to the thread as the OP is asking about a US flagged small pleasure craft...
  14. GhostriderIII, Oct 20, 2016
    #14
    GhostriderIII

    GhostriderIII Senior Member

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    I answered his question 07 Oct